For most people, bed is the most comfortable place to be. It’s not just a place where people sleep, but where people go to watch a movie, read a book, or take a break. Over the past two years, it’s also been a place where people have been doing their work. Here are a few reasons why working from your bed is a bad idea and how it can impact your productivity and ability to get a good night’s rest.
Because most of the working world went remote at the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, many people found comfort working from home, but more specifically, from their bed. There was virtually no commute so getting to work was as easy as opening up your computer and launching ZOOM. Unfortunately, as easy and comfortable as it is to be “ready” to work when you work in bed, the harm outweighs the benefits.
Psychological Effects of Working from Your Bed
As humans, we function best when we can distinctly recognize the beginning and end of a certain event. When it comes to the workday, even if you are working from home, it’s good to get into a routine that follows a normal weekday schedule. That means getting up, doing some exercise, getting dressed, and sitting in a spot that is specifically meant for working. The workday ends when we shut our computer off and leave our place of “work”.
When it comes to working from home, the routine of the workday beginning and finishing goes from something that was very natural to an effort that has to be made to maintain a sense of separation and normalcy. Thus, it becomes harder for us to focus when there is no separation even from just getting up out of bed and walking over to a desk or table to work more efficiently.
Working from your bed leads to poor posture and can cause neck and back pain. It can also cause mental exhaustion by not being able to sleep at night. These factors can build up and lead to lower quality sleep.
Physical Effects of Doing Work from Bed
Apart from psychological negative effects of working in bed, there are a list of physical effects that stem from working in bed. For one, because of the propped-up position you are likely in while working in bed, chronic lower back pain can emerge. Our bodies are not meant to recline in that position for an extended amount of time. Another physical effect, one that can impact your day whether you are in bed or not, is eye strain that is connected to looking at a screen for a prolonged period of time. Looking at a digital device in one position for hours at a time can lead to eye strains and headaches too.
Your Bed Should be for Sleep
Ultimately, it is best to find a natural separation in your day when it comes to your work schedule. Create a routine for yourself in which you physically get up from your bed and move to a different place to be productive. Sleeping on a hybrid mattress can promote a quality night’s sleep to give you the energy you need to create an efficient work setting. A mattress like the SpineAlign Luxury Hybrid Mattress can provide a comfortable and restful night. Finding the natural separation between work and sleep can lead to a better night’s sleep and a more productive and satisfying workday.
