Is standing better than sitting for circulation?

Let's dive right in and break down the great debate: Which is better—standing or sitting—when considering circulation? From office workers to homemakers and everyone in between, this is a question of significant importance.

Is Standing or Sitting Better for Blood Circulation?

Unique studies have unmasked an intriguing correlation between body posture and circulatory health. Contrasting lower limb blood flow and blood pressure in standing and standing positions showed fascinating results.

As expected, standing work showed increased blood flow by 77% in the lower body. This led to an elevation in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 37.2 mm Hg—a considerable difference!

Is Standing Bad For Leg Circulation?

Although standing tends to involve more activity, thus burning more calories, it's not without its drawbacks. Excessive standing can lead to leg and foot issues, such as swelling and discomfort.

Prolonged standing can also result in blood pooling in the legs, which subsequently compromises circulation. According to studies, going overboard on the standing front can have some negative effects.

Is Standing Actually Healthier Than Sitting?

Standing does offer benefits over its sitting counterpart when it comes to health. Regularly standing can lead to lower blood sugar levels, reduced heart disease risk, and less stress and fatigue than are perceived by those who sit for over eight hours daily.

Being on your feet more often does appear to have a more favorable influence on one's lifespan. Read about the health impact in more detail in our article, Is It Better to Work Standing or Sitting.

How Long Should You Stand Per Day?

A healthy balance between standing and sitting is vital for maintaining optimal health. As per health experts' recommendation in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, aiming for at least two hours of standing daily during work hours is a wise approach.

This conclusion strikes a balance between different comfort, health, and productivity aspects. Read about how standing desks help productivity to better understand this balance.

Conclusion

In short, both standing and sitting carry their own unique benefits and drawbacks. While standing does augment lower limb blood flow and mean arterial pressure, excessive standing can lead to complications, including blood pooling.

To make most of both worlds, it is recommended to intersperse sitting periods with standing sessions at regular intervals. This approach takes advantage of the health benefits of standing and mitigates potential risks.