Blogging From Bed... Is There Such A Thing As Ergonomic Computing From Bed?

What's The Dealio?
I have to admit, I'm a little (okay a lot) embarrassed to admit I do so much of my "work" from the comfort of my bed. (It's usually "made" -- if that helps at all.)

It's just that the thought of walking all the way down the hall and to my office where the desktop computer is just seems like such a chore -- especially when the laptop is an arm's reach away.

And then there are all those times when I get the urge to hop on the computer in the wee hours of the morning. At those hours, I'm not quite ready to face reality and "go to work". But I'm more than comfortable jotting down a few quick notes or pounding out an article that's right on the tip of my tongue in a heartbeat.

Why Bed Is Better Than Desk
Yeah, there are actually LOTS of reasons computing from the comfort of my bed usually takes precedence over computing from my fancy schmancy desktop computer with boatloads of workspace at my L-shaped desk...

• One... it's cold in there. (In the winter.) My office is the 'bonus room' above the garage and rooms like that are always hard to heat.
• And it's lonely too. (Jim's office is right across from our bedroom.)
• Plus, the humongous flat screen TV is located in our bedroom. (In my office I've only got a little 27-incher. Poor me, right?)
• And the seating is much more comfortable in our bedroom. High-dollar ergonomic office chairs have come a long way, but they're nothing compared to a plush overstuffed lounge chair (...or the bed).

And I have to be honest with you, there are days when I put in up to 18 hours (or more) at the computer. And sometimes you just need a little change in the scenery in order to stay motivated -- or productive -- at the computer. All in all, it's just easier and makes more sense to work on the computer in a space where you're the most comfortable, and the scenery is best (remember that 42" TV?), right?

Why People Compute From Bed
I realize that a lot of people have to access their computer from bed, if they want to get any work done on the computer. But obviously for me it's more like 90% laziness and 10% practicality.

I get up so early some mornings that it's easier to open up the laptop & get a few things done right from the comfort of my warm & toasty bed. But then, if I get on a roll, it's even more difficult to move out of my "comfort zone" to work on my desktop computer down the hall. What's the point?

Perhaps this is simply a case of "work at home" gone way out of control...

The only problem... computing from bed is not very ergonomic. After a few days of this, my neck is cramped up into some contortion that is simply not natural. And my arms need somewhere to rest.

So, just for the heck of it (ahem), I decided to look online to see if there are any creative ideas for ergonomic computing from bed.

Here's what I found:

The Bed Desk -- an ergonomic bed table that also serves as a versatile laptop table, book holder, table top, bed tray, and more.

The ErgoQuest 200 -- a height adjustable workstation that is ideal for working in a supine position in a bed, or for sitting, standing or working from a recliner.

Swing-Away Laptop Computer Desk -- an ultra-ergonomic computer stand that is elegant and space-saving. Also provides optimal cooling for your laptop.

Laptop Laidback Stand -- surf for hours in unparalleled comfort while lying down or stretched out in your favorite recliner.

Not So Fast!...
Okay, wake up and smell the reality, Lynnette! I just saw a report on TV that said something to the effect of "you shouldn't do anything in your bedroom OTHER than sleep" (...and other related activities).

The reason? Because the more you do, the less your mind & body associate your bed with getting some much-needed rest. It will become harder for you to "turn off" your work and relax your mind and body. I have to say, I think I may be noticing some of that. My mind is always "on" and it's hard to turn work "off".

So, I'm gonna work on this. I don't want to risk my sleep patterns (or other stuff) simply because I no longer associate the bedroom with its true, intended purpose.

Okay, but now it's time to catch some Zzzzz's. G'nite.

But Wait, There's More
Oh, and in case you were wondering... this post was typed from my desktop computer. Yeah, I kinda took that last part to heart. Plus I'm trying to be a somewhat respectable writer -- who also gets a decent amount of sleep.

But I still think something big could come of this "computing from bed" idea. Someone could make a lot of money by making it status quo to compute from bed -- or the bedroom at least. Think about all those people who have mega-sized bedrooms big enough to accommodate the versatility and the workspace needs of work-at-homers. See, I'm always thinkin'...