Bed Desk

Did you hear? Beds aren't just for sleeping anymore. The same idea that brought us "breakfast in bed" without making a mess is back again with another productivity saving innovation - the bed desk. Unlike some new products it does exactly what it promises - allows you to set up a hard surface in bed so you can easily take notes, prop up a large book, use a laptop computer, work with notebooks and sheafs of papers, or whatever you'd use a standard desk for.

There are few places I enjoy more than my bed. Long ago I figured that since we spend roughly 1/3 of our time in bed (and definitely about the same amount wishing we were) I should make sure that my bed was as comfortable to me as could be. Over the years I've tested out various mattresses and box springs, bed sheets, large cushions and small pillows, lighting, air and ventilation, etc - all in the name of perfecting my standard night of sleep so I can wake up refreshed and ready to face whatever's coming at me the next day.

Eventually I realized I was spending even more time in bed than just the hours I spent asleep - at least an hour in the evenings reading before turning out the lights, and at least an hour in the morning before getting up - time I could be using more productively (especially in the morning case), but given how successful I'd been at making my bed super comfortable, I didn't want to actually get out of it till I absolutely have to. The solution as you'll have guessed by now, was a bed desk. Since I've gotten one I've stopped putting off paying my bills till the last moment, kept a better control of my finances, and in general been far more organized in every aspect of my life. All it takes is a few minutes with my bed desk in the morning to prepare, and the number of unexpected events throughout the day goes down drastically.

Bed Desk - Solution!

My productivity aside, bed desks are a great productivity tool for nearly anyone, including the elderly and disabled who still need a comfortable place to work with as little movement as possible. No matter what the condition keeping one bedridden, though common reasons are neck pain and back pain, a bed desk will allow you to work on projects and things you can't afford to let fall by the wayside, all with a minimum of distress to your body. Simply gather some large cushions to the bed and arrange them so you can comfortably reach the bed desk to work, and it's off to the races.

If all this sounds right up your alley, please consider investing in a bed desk - there are plenty of internet retailers around that are selling them at affordable prices with low or no shipping cost and little or no sales tax. Generally they're made of wood, as it is relatively lightweight, which is the second most important feature of a particular bed desk beyond comfort and accessibility. The bed will need to be picked up and moved into place either by the user or a relative or caregiver, so choosing a model that can be lifted by everyone involved is critical. To picture a bed desk, think of a footstool with a table surface instead of a step - you lie between the legs and often tilt the surface to the desired angle that's most comfortable for long term use. Of course they'll be adjustable in height also, so make sure you choose a model with lots of accessibility and adjustability. Lastly, a bed desk at an angle doesn't work without a lip at the bottom to stop small items like papers, pencils and pens, and other items from sliding off into your lap, so make sure your model has one. Some advanced models even have small cabinets for storing materials in them.

One more thing, as with all non-standard (and even standard!) working positions, please make sure and take a break for 5-10 minutes every hour. Bed desks are intended to help people be more comfortably productive in bed, but still concerns about muscle tension and eye strain must be taken into account, no one wants to risk carpal tunnel syndome or another repetitive stress injury while lying in bed diligently working.