Buzz
1. Your Bed is a Breeding Ground for Bacteria
Working from bed often leads to clutter as you scatter various items around, and sometimes even eat in bed. This habit can make your bed unsanitary. According to sleep experts, after four weeks without washing, a mattress or bed has 39 times more bacteria than a pet food bowl.
In fact, studies on bacteria samples from beds show that they are dirtier than bathrooms. A pillowcase that's just one week old has 17,000 more bacteria colonies per square inch than a toilet seat. A one-week-old bed sheet contains 24,000 times more bacteria than a bathroom door handle. Therefore, working from bed creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to thrive.
2. Impact on Your Relationship with Your Partner
A study on distractions caused by mobile phones in the presence of a partner found that such distractions can indirectly affect relationship satisfaction and cause frustration. Similarly, this issue also applies to other devices, such as laptops used for work.
The bedroom is typically viewed by the brain as a place for rest, intimacy, and connection. Working from bed while your partner is there can make them feel ignored or disrespected. One of the leading causes of breakups is a lack of attention to one another, with one partner being too absorbed in work and forgetting the person lying beside them.
3. Disruption to Your Brain and Sleep Patterns
Did you know that our brain has a connection between the bed and the idea of rest and relaxation? Sleep expert Rachel Salas explains that when you work in your sleeping space, your mind begins to associate that environment with productivity instead of rest. This confusion can disrupt your regular sleep routine and lead to insomnia or circadian rhythm disturbances.
Additionally, using electronic devices in bed can cause health issues. Exposure to blue light at night interferes with melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep, which affects our body’s natural internal clock.
4. Impact on Work Productivity
A recent survey found that 72% of respondents admitted to working from their bed, and these individuals were more likely to experience sleep problems caused by anxiety and stress.
The poor quality of sleep ultimately leads to lower energy levels and decreased work productivity. The allure of a cozy bed can cause procrastination, and sometimes you may even fail to complete tasks assigned by your boss. Particularly in a dark bedroom, you may feel more tired. This shows that working from bed can severely hinder your focus, distracting you with numerous other thoughts and sensations.
5. Negative Effects on Posture
When you have a soft, comfortable bed, it's tempting to lie flat and get to work. However, this habit can lead to body aches over time, especially in the neck, back, and hips.
Dr. Susan Hallbeck, Director of Healthcare Systems Engineering at Mayo Clinic, emphasizes that just because you're not feeling discomfort now doesn't mean that negative effects won't occur later. By the time the pain arrives, it might be too late to prevent serious issues, including permanent back stiffness or arthritis.
