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Is It Good To Study While Lying Down?

Studying has always been a tricky affair, even to the brightest individuals. It comes attached with a lot of factors. Studying, just like any other process, has its recommended ways of doing it. This is because it can help you to achieve excellent results when done right. Some careers are more deemed more valuable after a degree or certificate is done. We all know about sitting upright to study. But has anyone ever addressed the question, “Is it good to study while lying down?”

Studying while lying down is a common practice by many students. However, research has shown that it is not a productive posture for studying. This reduced productivity can be attributed to several factors.

One of the reasons is that you do not process information as well as you should. You are also more likely to experience back pain. In addition, the lying-down position will not allow you to make notes.

There are a lot of downsides that can be experienced when studying in a lying-down position. You will not achieve the productivity you wish. Studying while lying down will prove to be counter-effective. You will not get the results that you want to.

This post will explore the reasons why studying while lying down is discouraged. Our post will also touch on some of the recommended and proven ways that can make your studying more effective.

 

REASONS WHY STUDYING WHILE LYING DOWN IS DISCOURAGED

 

  1. You Process Information Less Effectively or Process None At All

For a study session to be considered effective and successful, we need to remember what we studied. If we remember most of what we studied, we processed a lot of information efficiently. However, for us to process more information more efficiently, the bed should be avoided at all costs.

Studying while lying down renders you incapable of efficient processing of data. This is because you tend to have a short concentration span. You get easily distracted by everything that surrounds you.

Your TV, smartphone, and other people are just some of the many distractions that will leave you less capable of processing and memorizing sufficient information.

 

  1. You Are Bound To Experience A Lot of Back Pains

If the other reasons do not make you desist from using the bed to study, this should. Repeatedly lying on your bed and straining to read for prolonged periods will place unnecessary stress on your back.

Ergonomics Health suggests using a desk and table for your study sessions. It will not only help you to study better. This will enable you to prevent the chances of experiencing back pains, pain in your shoulders and neck. As a result, your study sessions become more enjoyable, which results in more productivity and a higher chance of acing your test.

 

  1. You Have Inadequate Room to Study Effectively

Enough room while studying is important. A lot of study materials often accompany effective study sessions. From books to stationery, tablets, and even laptops, the study area has to accommodate a lot of materials. Therefore, by studying on a bed, lying down, you deprive yourself of the opportunity to study effectively using all the required material.

No matter how big your bed may be, it will never be suitable to set up your study station. Positioning yourself at a desk and table offers you the best chance to study more effectively. This boosts your chances of acing your exams.

 

  1. Taking Notes Becomes a Tough Task

Taking notes is a crucial part of effective studying. Note-taking helps you to remember what it is that you studied. They provide a summary of what you can remember. So what happens when you cannot take notes?

This means that your study session was a total waste. Unfortunately, this is the situation that you will experience when you study while lying down. Unlike reading a novel, solving math problems will require you to sit in an upright position and jot down some numbers. This is something that you will not be able to do when you are lying down.

 

  1. It Usually Results In Boredom and Falling Asleep

Our brains are wired in a surprising way. Once you hop onto your bed or mattress, it is not uncommon to find that all you think about is sleeping. It is the same way when you feel thirsty. The only thing you can think of is getting a glass of water!

This “automatic switch” of the mind could be leveraged to greater effect. When you know you want to study, pull your chair and settle at the table. Hopping onto your bed to study is a bad idea. There is a very high likelihood that when you lay down, you will get bored and fall asleep. If you know you want to ace that test, the bed is a no-go zone!

 

  1. Procrastination Becomes a Habit

Studying while lying down makes us susceptible to distractions. Since the position does not allow you to be absorbed in studying, you occasionally lose focus. You may find yourself throwing your book away and starting to scroll through your phone.

These breaks in between your study sessions become more frequent. Essentially, studying in this position leads to a lot of time wastage. This is because you are unable to sustain a reasonably long concentration period. Therefore you will keep procrastinating your studying and get very little work done.

 

  1. It May Lead To a Poor Body Posture

Studying while lying down can result in a poor body posture. More often than not, you might experience prolonged backaches. Studying while lying down may require you to hold the book above your face for a long time. Staying in that particular position for long durations can give you a lot of muscle fatigue and backache.

Positional flexibility is non-existent when you are studying while lying down. Your neck is also another part of your body that may give you a lot of frustration. Neck pains may result from straining a lot to read while lying in an inappropriate position.

POTENTIAL “DANGERS” OF STUDYING IN BED

 

  • Your bedding may get dirty more often. Studying in bed means marks from your pens and highlighters may stain your bedsheets. Also, studying while on your bed will have you eating on the bed as well. It will therefore be no surprise that your bed sheets will have a lot of food crumbs.
  • Your bed should a place to “switch off” and zoning out. It is where you are supposed to relax. Using it as a study area will make it challenging to have a good night’s sleep. When you hop into your bed, your body might not respond accordingly. It may not register whether you need to sleep or study!
  • Studying in bed presents you with a million distractions. You may find yourself logging into your social media accounts. Watching that new series on Netflix will also feel like a fantastic idea!

TIPS TO SET UP A GOOD STUDYING SPACE

 

1. It is essential to find a comfortable chair that will make you sit up straight. This posture has been proven to be the most productive when you get down to study. If you want to have an effective study session, sit on a chair.
2. Have a designated study space. Not every spot in your house or room will offer a good study area. Settle in a quiet space where you can concentrate for an extended period
3. Get a good table or desk that is comfortable. It should have a reasonably good height. This will allow you to settle in one position for long periods and focus.
4. De-cluttering your study space is very important in ensuring easy access to all the items you need. Laptop and tablet chargers, extra pens, and notebooks should be properly arranged for an easier study session.

 

LYING DOWN FOR STUDY CAN BE GOOD – SOMETIMES

 

As much as we do not advocate for the “lying down” position, there are times it can come in handy. Let us highlight some of these instances. The reasons or times you should lay down when studying.

 

  1. Lying Down While Studying Can Be A Good Way To Take A Break From The Stress Of Sitting Up.

Imagine a situation where you have been studying for hours. You have been on that chair and desk reading nonstop. Now, we all have to agree that sitting upright for long periods can be tiring. Lying down gives your body a rest by being in a different position.

 

  1. If You’re Feeling Tired, Lying Down Is An Easy Way To Catch Your Breath And Recharge.

This position offers you a chance for that much-needed breather. When you feel too tired, close the book and hop onto your bed or couch and relax.

 

  1. Lying Down Is Easier On Your Back Since It Avoids Putting Pressure On Your Spine 

Prolonged upright sitting puts massive pressure on your back muscles, making you feel very tired. Over time, this can even significantly affect your body posture. The unwanted back pains are also easily avoided when you change your position and lay down after a long sitting session.

 

  1. You’ll Feel More Refreshed When You Sit Back Up

Lying down allows you to relax both body and mind. You can take a few minutes’ breaks from your study session. Thereafter, you feel more refreshed to get straight back in your studies with better concentration.

 

THE BEST WAY TO LAY DOWN IF STUDYING

 

  1. Lie on Your Back and Prop Yourself Up with Pillows 

After prolonged upright study sessions on your desk, treat yourself to an amazing relaxation session. Take your pillows and pamper that back. Place them below you so that they give you that great backrest.

 

  1. Put a Desk or Table In Front Of You, Then Put Your Laptop or Books On It 

When you lay down in between sitting sessions, you can continue your studies by pulling up a short desk and putting your books or laptop on it.

 

GENERAL VERDICT

A lot of evidence suggests that studying while lying down will hamper your study session. This is because that position is normally not for a task as serious as studying. Lying down has always been associated with relaxing.

Therefore, the brain is wired to perceive a person in this position as one who intends to rest. The moment you lie down to study, the brain does the opposite. It shuts down on all matters serious and embraces a relaxation mode. This only means that the position is considered “taboo” in the aspect of studying.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Several factors determine the secret to achieving a successful study session. One of these is assuming a position that will help you fully concentrate. The bed is thus disqualified here.

You should always go for a position or study area that offers you a reasonable level of comfort. However, it should not be too comfortable to the point that you cannot focus on studying. Too much comfort can make you fall asleep. The bed represents such a spot here.

Again, it should be avoided as a study area. A desk, task chair, and a table are the most recommended spots for studying. They offer just enough comfort for you to study. They are good at helping you to concentrate as well and focus on what you are reading!

It is also crucial to remember a few pointers regarding when it is suitable to lie down. Lying down can be a welcomed change from the prolonged sitting and study sessions. Lie down if you need a short break from your studies. This will do you a world of good and help you feel more refreshed.

You can also choose to lie down and study only if you have a chair or desk next to your bed or couch to place your study material. Having pillows to prop you up when lying down will help you avoid backache that will hamper your study sessions. Observe the above tips, and your study sessions will never be the same again!