There are quite a few people working while lying face down on the bed or squatting. Especially in winter, it is not uncommon for people to work or study while covered with a blanket on the bed. Although most companies have returned to normal work routines after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work still remains in many companies such as Naver. Additionally, there are many cases where people handle unfinished work from the office at home.

For many young people, working from home means "working from bed." Instead of dressing up and commuting to an office, they turn on their computers and work from bed. Turning the bed into an office can cause various psychological and physical health problems. Sitting cross-legged or lying down on a soft bed surface while working or studying is ergonomically unhealthy. It can put strain on the neck, back, and hips, and may lead to symptoms ranging from simple headaches to stiff lower back, arthritis, and pain in the cervical spine, ligaments, and muscles.

 

Dr. Susan Holbeck of the Mayo Clinic in the United States (ergonomics and well-being) said, "Young people can become victims of bad habits while working in bed." This was in an interview with the BBC in the UK. He said, "It varies from person to person, but it may be too late to reverse ergonomic problems as you get older," and emphasized, "You need to correct bad habits quickly." He also pointed out, "Sit upright in a chair and adopt a 'neutral posture.' The goal should be to maintain a posture that does not put strain on specific parts of the body."

Additionally, the posture of typing while lying face down can strain the neck and elbows, so it should be avoided. Whenever possible, separate the display and keyboard, and position the display at or above eye level. Using an ironing board as a temporary standing desk can also be considered. However, it is better to adopt a more comfortable posture. Dr. Holbeck said, "For people who frequently work from home for long periods, it is advisable to invest in a good workstation."

 

Frequent work in bed not only damages your body but can also negatively affect productivity and sleep habits. Associate Professor Rachel Salas of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Neurology, Sleep Medicine) said, "It's best to use the bed for three S's: Sleeping, Sex, and Sick." Watching TV, playing video games, or working or studying without sleeping in bed signals to the brain that such activities can also be done there. This associative learning leads to conditioned behavior, which can result in insomnia.

 

Wearing pajamas at night signals to the body that it is time to sleep. This is the concept of 'sleep hygiene.' Engaging in activities such as sending emails from bed or compulsively checking bad news (Doomscrolling) is particularly detrimental to sleep hygiene. If you regularly use laptops, smartphones, and screens necessary for work in bed, the brain and body stop associating the bed with rest. This is why insomnia and sleep disorders have surged worldwide alongside COVID-19.

 

Associate Professor Salas explained, "If you keep working in bed while working from home, even when you try to relax and sleep, your brain will think it's time to work." If this continues over a long period, it can lead to insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders. The body's natural clock that signals sleep time becomes greatly disrupted. As a result, symptoms unrelated to sleep, such as restless legs syndrome, can also worsen. Sleep disorders decrease work productivity, creativity, and concentration.

 

The most serious problem is that these symptoms may appear in some workers but not in others. Because of this, some people might think there is no problem working from bed. Associate Professor Salas emphasized, "Young people may not immediately feel the effects on their body and brain. However, as they age, aftereffects may appear, so they should pay attention."

 

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Sitting crouched on the bed,

There are quite a few people who work or study.

These habits are detrimental to health in many ways, so they should be abandoned.

 

Only sleep on the bed

Just thinking about it somehow affects my posture.

It feels unnatural and disrupts the flow.

It seems like it will be a good posture.