To Avoid Sitting, Standing Meetings Might Do the Trick
We’ve highlighted the benefits of standing meetings — for the times when walking meetings aren’t practical, but one wants to avoid sitting for a long time.
The report comes from Workplace Insights, which states: “People who stand in meetings may enjoy a number of health benefits, but it can also make them feel self-conscious, anxious about how others perceive them, and disengaged from the meeting.”
It continues: “These findings… suggest that efforts to encourage office workers to sit less and move more must acknowledge the realities of the workplace that conspire to keep people chained to their seats.”
The report outlines the benefits — and some concerns to watch for — in holding standing meetings. This becomes important for well-run workplace wellness programs that in terms of engagement and program design. It notes:
- “Breaking up sitting frequently with periods of standing and associated light activity can have important health benefits.”
- “Standing burns more calories than sitting and can improve the way our body uses glucose, which could reduce risk of cardiometabolic diseases.”
- “Standing may also encouragement movement, and so may promote more physical activity at work.”
One issue: Office culture. How can you bring standing meetings to your workplace? The post advises:
- “Standing in meetings offers the opportunity to sit less and move more. Meetings are a staple of office culture, and standing meetings can be more efficient and shorter.”
- “Yet, aside from the tech sector, where standing meetings are commonplace, most office workers generally don’t stand in meetings.”
- “Changing the sitting norm may depend largely on individual employees choosing to stand in workplace settings that are normally seated.”
Still skeptical? Tomorrow we’ll explain how people felt when they joined a meeting and stood. Hint: Many who did not think it would be for them, found out about the benefits of standing meetings.