Get out of Bed!

Although I may look nice and cozy here with my laptop and coffee, I really should get out of bed!

I rarely work in bed – I find that I’m not productive, but I know too many kids who are taking up this habit, which has to lead to most parents telling, ok yelling at their child since this whole “thing” started.

And if you’re a child who’s reading this, I know what you’re thinking. Cue eye roll and a “Can’t you just leave me alone??”

I hear both of you and understand both of your points of view.

The Parent

You’ve been kicked out of your office and had to create your own workspace at home. No more lunch with colleagues and no more of a lot of things period. Now that you’re home, you are able to notice how everybody else in your household has been getting along and how they manage their day.

There are some silver linings. Appreciating (just a little bit) that you no longer have to commute, which allows for a little extra time so you can do some of this and this.

So why aren’t you kids doing the same thing? Getting the heck out of bed and starting their day? I can hear you yelling “Get out of Bed!” from my kitchen table. I know that’s you.

The Child

“Can’t you just leave me alone? I AM working!” You scream as you lift up your laptop and notebook that is filled with your diligent note-taking.

I can also hear you from my kitchen table.

You’re frustrated and beyond annoyed because your social life has not only turned upside down, but you have to stare at a screen all day. Under normal circumstances, you are totally fine with that – if you’re watching your show of choice especially when looking at _________ (place crush of the moment here), but not when you have to listen to YOUR TEACHER lecture on the incredibly exciting topic of __________ (place course of the moment here).

So, you say to yourself, why not stay in bed, but still do the work. As long as you’re paying attention, taking notes, and absorbing the information, who cares about where you do it, right?

And why are there so many crumbs in my sheets? Was your breakfast in bed good this morning? Lunch, too? I’m afraid to ask if you ate dinner in bed.

This is all wrong.

It’s all about the environment

According to this incredible, and so worth the watch YouTube video called Spaceship You, the need to differentiate between your workspace, where you sleep, where you work, where you play, and where you eat will make a huge impact on your productivity and mental health.

You need to return to living in the outside world better than when you left and in order to accomplish this task, you need to set some rules.

The Rules

I know, I know, rules shmules. You’re not in “school” as in the physical building of your school right now but think back to the way it was, before.

When you were in your school building. There were rules set and things ran smoothly. There was a set time to eat lunch, for breaks, and a time to socialize with friends. All this was done outside of your home, out of your bed, obviously.

And when you were in bed, you were there to sleep, and maybe read. That was it. What about the Phone? Here’s my take on it here.

And when you ate, you ate in the kitchen.

For middle schoolers, beds should be saved for these activities and these activities only. Sleeping and reading (to help fall asleep). Nothing else. Working and hanging out on your bed, with the covers on, is a popular activity for most, heck, I’ve done it myself back in the day, but I’m telling you, watch the YouTube Video Spaceship You, and you might have a whole new perspective on your bed and it’s purpose.

If you “dump” all of your activities that you need to do in your bed, you are not only going to mess up your sleep patterns but you will be walking around like a zombie and feel like crap. Watch how your back will begin to hurt from slumping and your legs will turn to mush from decreased muscle mass. Worst of all? All this lying around in bed can lead to stress and anxiety. Who needs that during a pandemic?

Don’t get me wrong – sleeping is great. I’m all for getting as much sleep as possible – especially for growing teens. It’s just that too much of anything, including sleep and lounging around in bed is not good for you.

The more you do outside of the bed, the more you will appreciate the time you have in bed, with its original purpose, which is to sleep.

On a personal note

I’m not gonna lie, we’ve had this problem in my household too. I’m proud to say that my daughter noticed that she not only needed to leave her bed but leave her room. As you can see below, she created an “office” in the corner of our family room, where the most light shines in. Who knew what an extra make-shift table from Costco could be so helpful. Along with an old bedsheet and house plants.

I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write about you and your passions for the Braves The Waves Journal, or for your own company, please be in touch.