Does working in bed affect your sleep?
It can. Work in bed long enough and your body links the bed with thinking hard, so it's harder to switch off. Moving work off the bed, even to a small table, is the simplest first step.
Some researchWhy it feels uncomfortable
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine's guideline on behavioral treatments for insomnia includes stimulus control: use the bed only for sleep, go to bed when sleepy, and get up if you can't sleep, so the body relearns the bed–sleep link. And if your bedroom has a desk facing away from the door, people coming in behind you are more likely to startle you; side-on to the door is more relaxed.
What tradition says
Feng shui says the bedroom is mainly for rest, and activity and rest should be kept apart.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowStarting tonight, keep laptops and papers off the bed. Finish at a table or in a chair, then go to bed.
- Move some furnitureIf there's a desk in the bedroom, turn it side-on to the door with a wall behind you so you can see the doorway.
- If you can't change itNo room for a desk? Use a small folding table and put it away after work so the bed goes back to being just for sleep.
FAQ
Does reading a paper book in bed count?
Relaxed reading isn't the same as work and is usually fine. If you struggle to fall asleep, read in a chair first and get into bed when you're sleepy.
What if I have long-term insomnia?
This page is about habits, not treatment. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.
Related questions
Sources
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.