We spend a lot of time in the office. In fact, half of all full-time employees say they work more than 40 hours a week, and over their lifetime the average person spends 90,000 hours working. The past few years have seen a surge in the trend of making our workplaces healthier, but that admirable goal is easier stated than met. It takes real, consistent dedication to creating a healthy environment for your employees. It requires a top-down commitment to cultivating a culture that encourages people to make smarter decisions, realizing those decisions have long-term consequences.

Of course, here at MultiTable.com we think one of the easiest, most effective ways to foster a healthier work environment is to install height adjustable standing desks, and the research is with us on this one. One study found that men who stand six hours or more a day have an overall death rate 20 percent higher than their counterparts who sit for three hours of less. Physical inactivity – especially sitting – contributes to an estimated 200,000 deaths each year and can lead to increased risks from heart disease and cancer. Consistent use of a standing desk can also increase energy, stamina and productivity.

Using adjustable standing desks is just one way to create a healthier workplace. Here are suggestions for other things you can do:

Encourage active breaktime for employees. “Foster healthy breaks by encouraging them to take 10 minutes away from their desks and take a quick walk. The fresh air and endorphins from exercise will help them feel better, less stressed and more focused,” says Josh Stevens, CEO of the health and engagement site Keas.com.

Revamp your breakroom. Eliminate “empty calories” from your vending machines. Johnette van Eeden, CEO of Star Wellness USA, which offers onsite wellness screening services, recommends replacing sodas and junk food with healthier snacks (such as granola bars and trail mix) and water. She also encourages employers to ditch unhealthy doughnut breakfasts and calorie-laden lunch foods like pizza.

Keep things moving. Consider holding “walking meetings” and encourage workers to take the stairs, steering clear of the elevators.

Strive for a cleaner workplace. Stevens also says messy workplaces can lead to undue stress and offers an easy fix: “Encourage employees to take a few minutes to toss old papers and organize your desktop so you have a clean, clutter-free space.”

Redesign your office with health in mind. Around 85 percent of U.S. workers report experiencing discomfort from workplace equipment or furniture. Providing ergonomic keyboards, monitor stands and adjustable height desks can go a long way to improving employee comfort, productivity and morale.

As the leading manufacturer of the world’s most durable height adjustable standing desks and accessories, MultiTable.com encourages these kinds of workplace changes. “Of course, we’d like to see standing desks in every office in America,” said Drew de Weerd, president of MultiTable. “We began our company with a simple premise: to transform offices and workplaces by encouraging a healthy lifestyle. When you combine standing desks with other easy-to-adopt changes in the office – like providing healthy food in your break room – you can have a positive impact on health.” It doesn’t hurt to have some big-name companies getting on board with this kind of healthy thinking. “We’ve seen Silicon Valley really take the lead on this,” de Weerd said. “For example, as many as ten percent of Facebook employees are opting to use standing desks, and Google includes them as a key part of their wellness program.”

MultiTable wants you to see first-hand how easy it is to embrace healthy living in the workplace. That’s why we offer Corporate Discounts on Standing Desks.

Thanks for your support in 2015 and Happy New Year from MultiTable.com!

Need some custom table tops for your office, conference room, school, or design project? Check out over 500 Wilsonart designs by Only Table Tops. Featuring Wilsonart Table Tops.