Why it is a Bad Idea to Work and Sleep in Your Bed or Bedroom?

Why it is a Bad Idea to Work and Sleep in Your Bed or Bedroom?

Why it is a Bad idea to Work and Sleep in Your Bedroom and Bed

Business doesn’t sleep, especially in the 21st century. That’s why work from home becomes more and more attractive with each day spent in a cubicle, right?

bad posture working from bed

The world has changed and working in an office is something ever fewer people do. That’s why working from your bed might feel like a dream come true. Imagine having family, pets, wearing casual clothes, and even pyjamas, but hold on!

There’s a catch.

Is it Really a Good Idea to Work in the Bedroom?

To work from your bed stands for the freedom to mix an office job and house chores, the freedom to wear what you want, to spend more time with family, comments Mattress & Bedding Insider Company CEO and managing director Jonathan Prichard. Freedom is the immense advantage of remote work offers compared to traditional offices. Perks include higher self-control and the ability to regulate work-life balance yourself.

However, when you telecommute, you might end up spending the whole workday in bed. Blame thyself not. According to a study by the Wall Street Journal, 80% of young professionals do this.  

Beds are comfy, but avoid working from yours for one or all the following reasons.

1. Your Bedroom Loses its Primary Focus

We separate our homes based on functionality. As kitchens come to food and bedrooms to sleep, office space is a must. Working from bed can blur the lines, though, which ultimately hurts productivity and spirit.

A small apartment doesn't mean limited functionality per square feet, tho. So at any cost, don’t succumb to the ease of working and eating from your bed!

According to Harvard University, to build a stronger mental bond with your bedroom, and thus rest, you simply should not work where you sleep!

Keep your laptop, smartphone, and business documents out of your zone meant for R&R. 

2. Separate Work and Home

It’s hard to detach from work-life and often people bring their office problems back at home. It’s even harder to separate work from actual life when you telecommute.

The blurring lines between work and leisure are a serious drawback when you deal with obligations in the comfort of bedding. You don’t want the “always at work” experience nonstop. right?

Establish a dedicated area to work and keep the bed for rest and relaxation.

3. Work from Bed Decreases Productivity

Your brain associates the bed with rest and sleep. So how do you expect to be productive when your mind drifts away prior to sleep?

Instead of being productive, you’ll end up comfy and lazy with work tasks piling up by your side. That’s why you should the least arm yourself with proven productivity hacks for remote work to stay on focus.

Check out these 5 Ways for Remote Workers To Get More Done Faster.

4. Doing Work in Bed Hurts your Mood, Spirit, and Sanity

If your bedroom is anything like the average bedroom, then probably sunlight is scarce. When working in a room with curtains closed, melatonin levels rise, which has a devastating effect on stamina. Only a few days could cause chronic fatigue, drop in motivation, and a wave of depressive thoughts and emotions.

5. Work from Bed Worsens Quality of Sleep

When you work from bed, you probably take your laptop or smartphone with you. You might not realize it, but this is harmful to your sleep.

These electronic devices emit blue light, which tells the brain to stay alert as if it is still daytime. It affects the sleep hormone called melatonin, and you won’t be able to fall asleep easily. This means your productivity on the next day will also decrease, leading you in a spiral of exhaustion and stress.

If it’s necessary to use your devices in bed before sleep, turn on blue light filters to limit its effect on your brain.

6. Work from Bed Causes Bad Posture

Let’s be honest - working from bed is comfortable only for 15-20 minutes and then your back starts to hurt. Even if you pile up a load of pillows to support your spine, it still isn’t enough to survive a full workday without dealing with back or neck pain, not to mention that pain eventually becomes chronic.

This could easily turn into a chronic health problem. Save yourself the troubles and work from a designated area with an ergonomic home office chair.

7. Working in Bed Hurts Relationships

According to Science Direct, interruptions coming from your smartphone notifications can have a disheartening effect on your partner all the way to depression, frustration, and long-term relationship issues. Your bedroom and bed should be for time and space dedicated 100% to the one you want to share it with.

No laptops, tablets, phones or work in bed. Period.

8. Sleeping on the Same Place You Work Worsens Hygiene

The human being sheds millions of skin particles a day and guess where these end up when working in bed? Over 500 million to be correct.

Imagine the abundance of food bacteria, dust mites and, God, hope not, other nasty creatures will get out of the extra supply?

The pitfall of basic mattress hygiene is yet another robust reason why sleeping in the same place you work is a bad idea. The least you can do is DIY treatments besides your regular washing.

How to Avoid Working from Bed

why you should not work from your bed min

Ban Smart Devices From Your Bedroom

At first, it may be hard to leave your phone in another room and not check your work mail or scroll through social media. But believe us, this is essential for your relaxation, sleep, and general wellbeing. Detox your bedroom from smart devices and you’ll feel the positive effect soon enough.

Instead, go to bed with a book and a cup of camomile tea to unwind and easily drift away. In the mornings, wake up with a radio alarm or a lamp that simulates the sunrise light. These minor tricks will boost your productivity and creativity throughout the day.

Create a designated home office

To avoid bringing your work to bed, choose another space for your home office. It doesn’t have to be a separate room. A small corner by the window might be the perfect fit. Opt for a desk with drawers or a table depending on your work needs.

You should invest in a comfortable chair since you’ll spend significant time sitting. Although a puff chair seems fun at first, your back will suffer soon enough. So select your furniture carefully.

Search for Other Remote Work Places

Why limit yourself to only working from home? The concept of digital nomads gets popular by the hour. More and more coffee shops and restaurants welcome people working from their laptops. Take a stroll through your neighborhood and look for cafes that provide decent Wi-Fi and power outlets to plug in your laptop.

Ask around if there are any coworking spaces in your city. Most of these places provide a free trial day so you can test if working in a shared office is your thing.

Final Thoughts

If you want to be productive when you telecommute, don’t take your work and smart devices to bed. This will only mess up with your sleep cycle and lead to back or neck pain.

Instead, create a cozy home office or go out with your laptop and explore the local coffee shops.

Share this article

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

0
terms and condition.
  • Jordan Gray

    It's a bad idea as you could have long term back pain. Working from home shouldn't be an excuse for workers to do their job in their bedroom. Beds are made to sleep and the office is made for business activities.

  • Steve Kiely

    I have tried it many times... I feel guilty....

  • Andrew Knight

    Excellent article

  • Mark Louis

    It's not always a bad idea if you have a cold and can't get out from your bed

  • Harry P

    The same advice also applies for those working in their couch or using uncomfortable chairs.

  • Heidi Jackson

    Well said !!

  • Klais Surik

    Many people now actually have issues with how to do business under the current realities we are in.

Share this article

Dimitar Karamarinov

Digital Marketing Expert

Dimitar Karamarinov is an award-winning digital multi-instrumentalist coming into practice as early as 2006. Over a decade of audio, graphic, visual design, along with versatile know-how of business, marketing and communication. Dimitar grows experience with Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Inc 5000 and multi-continent brands under his belt. 

   
Save
Cookies user prefences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Read more
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline