Working from bed 在床上办公的利与弊

陈小将

词汇：comfort 舒适
Our working lives are becoming more flexible. The coronavirus pandemic has made us rethink how and where we work. For many, working from home has become the new norm, with some people finding the cosiest place to do this is in bed! But is this really the best place for your mind and body to carry out your job?
A ‘duvet day’ used to be an informal way of describing taking a day off sick from work, but with improvements in technology, such as good wi-fi, you can now do most of your work tasks reclining in bed while still tucked under your duvet and maybe snuggled up in your pyjamas. The benefits are obvious: no travel time to work, no need to get dressed or even get out of bed – unless you want a cup of tea!
The trend seems to be growing. But for some, it’s not a matter of choice – it might be the only spare space in their home where they can work. According to a BBC online article “this is especially true of young workers; in the UK, workers aged 18 to 34 are the least likely to have a proper desk and chair and are twice as likely to work from bed than older workers.”
Online retailers have reported a huge increase in people searching for laptop stands and support pillows. Although they might make the bed-working regime more comfortable, the reality is that your long-term health, particularly your posture, could suffer. Your neck, back, hips and more are all strained when you’re on a soft surface that encourages you to slump or sprawl.
Working from bed can also affect your mental health. Sophie Bostock, founder of The Sleep Scientist, told the BBC: “If you don’t have a good day at work, you start to change your associations with your bed as being about stress, deadlines, an awkward conversation with your boss.” Stress, of course, can lead to insomnia and the only cure for that is a long Zoom work meeting to help you doze off!