“Thinking On Your Feet” – How Standing Up Can Improve Your Productivity…

Would you benefit from a boost in productivity and improved performance at work? This blog explores some concepts that could help you get more out of your working day and perform better at when at your desk.

What is “Thinking on Your Feet” About?

The phrase “Thinking on Your Feet” dates to the early 1900’s and is used to describe a situation where someone reacts quickly and is mentally agile. Why should being on your feet be associated with mental agility? We believe that being on your feet can help you think and perform better and there is scientific support for this both biological and psychological. We can take steps to harness and unlock new levels of performance in our work and play. The next few minutes you take to read this article could be one of the most productive decisions you have taken in a while…

Our Origins as a Species

Before we dive into this exciting topic, let’s take a step back and look at where we have come from. As a species, we have spent tens of thousands of years on our feet. Why have we evolved into an upright, bipedal species when most land creatures walk on four legs? There are many explanations for this such as efficient travel, freeing the hands for other uses, thermoregulation, habitat adaption (e.g. picking berries off trees), predator avoidance (you can see them from further away if you’re standing!), energetic efficiency and communication. The bottom line is that for thousands of years our bodies have adapted to being on our feet and the structures of our bodies have evolved to fit to this. It is only in the last century that we have made a dramatic change towards sitting down as our normal posture through the day.

A hand stencil from Maltravieso cave in Spain was found to be 66,700 years old. Standing enabled the advent of creative thought, expression and invention.

The Modern Tech Era and the Pandemic Impact

It is the advent of the IT age that has brought this generation to the desk, with the personal computer as our tether. Are you sitting at a desk now by any chance? If so how does your body feel? Are you comfortable? Can you feel any tension? Our bodies were not designed to sit in the same position for prolonged periods of time so even if you have the best ergonomic seat (which we would recommend you invest in) after an hour or so your body will be crying out for a change of position and a stretch (but quite often your mind is so distracted you don’t realise it). This can cause lasting damage to your body. The recent pandemic has only made this problem worse. A study by NordVPN in April 2020 found that remote workers were spending an average of 3 hours and 10 minutes more per day at their desks compared to pre-pandemic levels. This is a huge shift and a ticking health time-bomb that we need to wake up to and fast. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in February 2021, many workers reported feeling more stressed and burned out during the pandemic, which could be linked to longer desk hours and increased workloads. The negative physical and mental health impact of sitting at our desks for too long however is a story in itself, and we will cover that in a separate blog another day. This story is a positive one about productivity and how you can achieve better performance by standing up and ‘thinking on your feet’.

Productivity Gains

So why do we at Sapien think that standing up can boost your productivity? Well first thing to say is that this is not a new concept. We didn’t come up with it. As far back as the eighties when telemarketing was just growing, the concept of a ‘power hour’ was used, when telephone sales people would stand up and put all their energy into closing deals for an hour and they were clearly onto something. B2B sales experts Hubspot recommend that you stand up when making calls for better effectiveness and sales professionals such as Dan Smith who blogs on LinkedIn about sales development gives 5 reasons you should stand up while making sales calls and Proven Sales Training talk about how posture effects your mental state and how standing up can help breathing, blood flow, energy levels and your overall mental state and motivation. This is why we believe passionately that standing desks not only improve your physical health but also help you perform better.

 

The modern evolution of the keynote presentation, delivered by confident speakers who know the importance of the power stance.

The Science

So why do we perform better when standing? What is going on in our bodies? When we stand, we breathe deeper and our brains need oxygen to function. In fact, the brain uses about a fifth of your body’s total oxygen supply. Standing up also aids blood flow and this is vital because it allows the brain to get its nutrients and oxygen. The NHS reports that sitting for long periods is also recognised to slow our metabolic rates. Metabolism refers to the countless chemical processes going on continuously inside the body that allow life and normal functioning, and this contributes to our energy levels.

There’s more science to back this up too. A small study by Mullane, S. L. et al (2014) published in the journal Health Psychology in 2014 found that standing desks led to increased energy levels and reduced feelings of fatigue compared to sitting desks. Research published by Mehta, R. K., & Shortz, A. E. (2017)  in the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health suggested that standing desks might positively affect cognitive performance, including memory and attention. A third example is a study published by Garrett et al. (2016) in the journal IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors in 2016 reported that workers in a call-centre using standing desks were ~45% more productive on a daily basis compared to their seated counterparts. There is also support for the principle that standing up improves mood (which in turn would positively impact productivity). A study by Teychenne et al. (2015) showed that over 80% of standing desk users reported an upswing in their mood but when they returned to their previous work practice of sitting at a desk, their mood reverted to its original lower level.

A Creative Boost?

There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that standing up fosters creativity too, so if you’re a freelance writer or any sort of creative, have a think why when a team gathers for a brainstorming session, they stand to encourage a more creative, dynamic, and collaborative atmosphere. Or do you consider why artists often work on easels or drafting tables while standing? Then there are interactive presentations: When giving a creative presentation, it is argued that standing can help you engage with your audience more effectively. You can use body language, hand gestures, and movement to enhance your storytelling and captivate your audience. In design thinking workshops, participants often use standing workspaces, and many creative professionals use standing desks to create a workspace that allows for both sitting and standing. This flexibility can be particularly useful when transitioning between tasks that require focused concentration and tasks that demand creative thinking. Finally, think about the theatre – actors and improvisational performers typically stand during their performances. This physical stance enables them to react quickly to cues, engage with the audience, and think creatively on the spot. So, are you convinced yet? Can you see the value of getting up and ‘thinking on your feet’ the next time you need to do a creative task?

Do you consider why artists often work on easels or drafting tables while standing?

A Story from a Sapien Team Member

We have stories from within the Sapien Team too. Stephen on our Product Development Team has been using the Sapien Standing Desk for 3 years now and he has found that standing while working gives his body a workout compared to sitting all day and finds that the more he stands during the day, the better he tends to sleep at night and that all-important rest time helps to recharge his batteries for the next day ahead, an example of a secondary benefit that helps him improve his overall performance at work.

The Conclusion?

A perfect quote to conclude from Patrick J. Skerret, writing for the Harvard Business Review in 2010 sums up his view of standing at work:

“A few months ago, I fired my chair and brought in a stand-up desk. This move has made a huge difference in my workday. My back isn’t so achy. I’m taking several thousand more steps each day. I feel more alert, especially in the afternoon, and it seems like I am getting more done each day.”

The argument that getting up for those key moments during the day when you need to be creative or persuasive and communicate effectively whilst still at your workstation is compelling. If you can appreciate these benefits, then why not consider a Sapien Standing Desk for your own workspace? A Sapien Desk will not only help you look after your body it can help propel you to the next level in whatever you are doing at your workspace, which is why our brand slogan for Sapien is “Elevate Your Game” – we want to help you be the best version of yourself you can be. We think that’s an investment worth making. Design your custom-built desk here or get in touch with one of our helpful experts today who can help you chose the right setup for you.