Why is standing so tiring? (2023)

Why is standing all day so tiring?

When we stand for long periods of time, we are extending and lengthening our hip flexors, said Victoria Lyon, a certified personal and group fitness trainer and public health researcher at the University of Washington. Holding those muscles in extension can feel strenuous, and they fatigue.

Tired legs are a normal part of life. People can experience tired, heavy legs after strenuous exercise or a long day sitting or standing at work. People may find that the discomfort resolves with rest or home remedies.

The main reason standing still hurts your legs more than walking for the same amount of time is because when you're standing, your leg muscles are constantly engaged to keep you upright. In contrast, when you're walking, a greater number of muscles in both the legs are engaged.

Not great! Over time, standing at work can contribute to circulation problems and varicose veins, and some studies have shown that standing at length can lead to chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders.

Experts have found that you should try to stand for at least 2 hours per day, but up to 4 hours per day could be optimal. This might seem like a lot, but there are lots of ways you can fit standing into your day.

Possible culprit: A vitamin or mineral deficiency

One possible reason for feeling tired, anxious, and weak is having low levels of iron, vitamin D, or B12. Many experts believe that a significant percentage of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D.

Standing is a natural human posture and by itself poses no particular health hazard. However, working in a standing position on a regular basis can cause sore feet, swelling of the legs, varicose veins, general muscular fatigue, low back pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and other health problems.

Standing doesn't count as exercise, and, unlike running or cycling, there is there is no evidence that simply standing at work improves cardiovascular health.

How long is too long standing?

Prolonged standing is defined as over 8 hours of standing per day without a lot of movement and walking around. Jobs that require standing all day are commonly associated with lower back pain, issues with leg muscles and tendons, and chronic venous insufficiency.

The researchers found that standing burned 0.15 calories (kcals) per minute more than sitting. By substituting standing for sitting for six hours a day, a 143.3-pound adult would expend an extra 54 calories (kcals) in six hours.

Multiple studies have shown people typically burn more calories standing than sitting. One study showed that adults who weigh 143 pounds burn 0.15 more calories a minute when standing versus sitting. If you stand for six hours per day instead of sitting, you burn around 54 additional calories.

Generally speaking, sitting or standing in the same position for more than 20 minutes per day is detrimental to your health.

As much as prolonged sitting is harmful to your heart, so is prolonged standing. When you stand for too long, your blood tends to pool in your legs, unable to properly circulate around the body. In effect, the veins have to work doubly hard to distribute the blood evenly to parts that need it.

Even fidgeting burns more calories than sitting still. Here is a comparison of different activities and how many calories a 170-pound (77 kilograms) person can burn in an hour. Standing burns more calories than sitting (186 calories vs. 139 calories).

This is because keeping the body in a standing position requires muscular effort while it reduces the blood supply to these muscles. It is the lack of blood flow that causes muscles to tire more easily and causes pain in the feet, legs, back and neck. It is important to plan properly for long periods of standing.

It strengthens leg muscles and improves balance. It burns more calories than sitting. It is also a great antidote to the formation of blood clots deep in the legs. When you sit for long periods, blood flow slows through the legs.

Why am I always tired and have no energy?

You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs. In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.

Vitamin B12 along with B6 are best for energy. Almost every cell in the body uses B12. Besides helping form red blood cells, B12 converts fat and protein to energy. A B12 deficiency causes tiredness and anemia.

It is best not to sit in one position for more than 20 minutes, or to stand in one position for more than 8 minutes. If prolonged sitting in the workplace is required or desired, individuals should gradually transition to significant periods of standing.

On the other hand, a recent study showed that standing for just 3-4 hours a day is the physical equivalent of running ten marathons a year. The science stands on solid ground: beyond advancing good health, standing promotes weight loss and productivity gains.

Standing Core Stabilizer

Promote abdominal strength, increase stability, improve breathing, coordination, and reduce your waistline. Regularly practicing standing core exercises is essential to sculpting your midsection and reducing belly fat.