How to Sit Up in Bed Comfortably

Get Your Posture Right

Sitting in bed may be comfy, but over time, it can wreak havoc on your back. Ideally, you should sit with a slight curve in your lower back. However, when you sit on a flat surface with your legs straight out, you lose the curve and end up causing the vertebrae to compress in your back. A quick and easy method of fixing the posture problem is to sit cross-legged in bed, which allows your back to curve naturally. Alternatively, you can change your position frequently and bend your knees as much as possible. It may help to place a pillow under your knees to keep them bent and maintain the curve in your spine. (If possible, you should also try to avoid hunching over!)

Use a Firm Mattress

The firmer your mattress, the more support there is for your body and back. Not everyone likes a firm mattress, but you will find it helps immensely if you sit for long periods of time. If you don’t have the option of getting a firmer mattress, you can use a sturdy rubber pad under you to provide a bit more support and firmness. (While these pads are usually made of firm foam, some people prefer the intensity of a rubber mat – made of the same material as the protective mats found in gyms and gymnastics studios! While we recommend the former, consider the latter as an option if you are desperate for support.)

Get a Wedge Pillow

Your regular sleeping pillows aren’t exactly ergonomic, though they’ll do in a pinch. If, however, you spend more than an hour a day sitting in bed, investing in a wedge pillow to set up against the headboard will help immensely. These pillows provide a firm, supportive place to lean and can help your posture as well; they’re comfortable but give the extra needed support. Be sure to look for larger wedges that come up to your shoulders or higher for the best results!

Invest in an Adjustable Base for Your Bed

Perhaps the easiest way to ensure you’re sitting up properly and comfortably in bed is to get an adjustable base for your bed. You’ll be able to adjust the head of the bed to fit your needs and lay it flat again at night for sleeping ... or leave it slightly inclined. (These bases instantly turn any bed into a completely comfortable option for when you're reading, watching TV or working from bed!)

Get a Bed Desk

Are you working on a laptop while you’re sitting in bed? If so, you’re at risk for neck and wrist issues in addition to back problems. Sitting with your laptop on your lap will cause you to tip your head down for long periods of time, and your wrists may be bent unnaturally in order to type. To avoid these issues, get a bed desk, which will raise the laptop to the correct level for typing and viewing. These desks tend to fold out of the way when not needed but quickly open for use on the bed.

With more people working from home and the bedroom calling, it’s quite likely you’re spending more time in bed now than ever before. It doesn’t have to be bad for your back, though! With the right type of bed, mattress, bed desk and adjustable base, staying comfortable is a cinch.