As schools and educational institutions look for new ways to make learning more active, standing desks have become a hot topic of interest. And for good reason!
Classrooms are now evolving to meet the needs of the new modern student, and as a result, are transforming the way students engage with their lessons, offering a range of benefits that go beyond just comfort.
In this blog, we'll dive into the numerous benefits of standing desks for students and how they can support academic success and overall well-being.
The 5 main benefits of standing desks for students are:
1. Standing Naturally Increases Blood Flow to the Brain
One of the greatest benefits of standing instead of sitting while at work or at school is that standing reinforces movement and increases blood circulation around the body.
This increase in blood flow helps to circulate oxygen to the brain, allowing for the creation of neurons, brain pathways) to take place. This creates information super-highways that allow for increased information intake and retention.On the other side of the coin, when students sit for long periods, blood flow slows down, causing fatigue and reducing mental alertness.
Also, for students who struggle with restlessness or attention issues, such as ADHD, a standing desk offers an alternative to constant sitting (which some students can really struggle with), allowing them to release excess energy in a more controlled manner.
This leads us onto point number 2…
2. Improved Focus
According to a recent survey, around 80% of teachers have reported a decline in students' ability to focus on learning tasks.
More and more students are experiencing difficulty concentrating in the classroom.
How Standing Desks Can Help Students Focus in the Classroom?
One of the main reasons students lack focus in the classroom is because of boredom. This is because boredom and focus are often inversely related, i.e. if you’re bored, your focus tends to diminish, and can then lead to distraction and reduced motivation to engage with the work or rest of the class.
In a classroom environment, one of the main causes of boredom and disengagement can result from sitting in the same position for long periods of time.
This is why offering standing desks to students can be a significant benefit as they naturally facilitate movement throughout the day, giving the students the option to switch between sitting and standing at any given time.
Learn more about how standing desks help improve focus and browse our range of standing desks for the classroom here.
3. Improved Mood and Energy Levels
As well as improved focus, standing desks can also facilitate an improved mood. And who wouldn’t want that for a full classroom of students?
Sitting for long periods of time in the classroom (and workplace) is very closely linked with low vigour (energy and enthusiasm), whereas standing up is linked to a boost in energy, mood and performance.
It is thought that just 10 minutes of movement is all it takes to increase mental focus, with 37% of individuals in one study reporting high levels of energy in the middle of the day when incorporating small and frequent movements.
Sitting for extended periods can also lead to back pain and poor posture, so by allowing students to stand and move freely, they’ll naturally feel more comfortable and experience less physical strain while learning.
4. Physical Health Benefits
There are many many benefits of standing desks for students, not just mentally but physically, too. It’s a win-win!
First off, standing desks will allow students to naturally engage in more physical movement throughout the day, helping with weight management and encouraging an active lifestyle. Did you know that long periods of sitting have been related to a variety of health problems, including obesity?
But when using a standing desk, you are more likely to burn more calories than when you are sat, lowering your risk of obesity. In fact, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, standing desks will burn up to 50 calories more per hour than seated desks.
Another health benefit is improved posture, which is something many students struggle with. Using a standing desk will naturally help students posture as it allows them to stand up straight, activating their core muscles, and maintain good spine alignment.
Going back to point number 2 & 4, a healthy posture is also related to higher energy, better happiness, and improved cognitive function, so there are so many benefits of standing desks for students.
Discover more health benefits of a standing desk here.
5. Enhanced Opportunities for Collaborative Learning
Lastly, standing desks can be set up in a way that creates more opportunities for students to engage with one another and collaborate during the day. They allow a much more open and engaging atmosphere where students feel comfortable communicating and sharing ideas.
This peer-to-peer learning is essential for students as they advance into higher education as it encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and effective communication skills, which are all highly valued inside (and outside) of education.
Standing desks can be arranged in clusters or pods, and it's this physical proximity that makes it easier for students to exchange ideas, share materials, and collaborate on tasks.
How We Can Help
There we have it! It’s clear that standing desks have a huge amount of both physical and mental health benefits for classrooms, and we hope this guide has given you just a taste of what a standing desk can do for your students.
FRISKA standing desks include all of these benefits and can be fully customised and accessorised to your needs.
Need additional help choosing a standing desk? Get in contact with our expert team with any queries - they'll be happy to help.
And if you’re looking for a standing desk for your home, office or workspace? Check out our full collection of standing desks and accessories. Our desks come with a price guarantee, next day delivery, a comprehensive warranty and call-out support.