對我們中的許多人來說，自己的家已經成為新的辦公地點。不論是餐桌還是沙發，都是擺放電腦的常見地方。不過，也有人選擇在軟綿綿的床上辦公。本期節目討論在這個看似舒適的地方辦公有哪些利弊。

詞匯：comfort 舒適

Our working lives are becoming more flexible. The coronavirus pandemic has made us rethink how and where we work. For many, working from home has become the new norm, with some people finding the cosiest place to do this is in bed! But is this really the best place for your mind and body to carry out your job?

A ‘duvet day’ used to be an informal way of describing taking a day off sick from work, but with improvements in technology, such as good wi-fi, you can now do most of your work tasks reclining in bed while still tucked under your duvet and maybe snuggled up in your pyjamas. The benefits are obvious: no travel time to work, no need to get dressed or even get out of bed – unless you want a cup of tea!

The trend seems to be growing. But for some, it’s not a matter of choice – it might be the only spare space in their home where they can work. According to a BBC online article “this is especially true of young workers; in the UK, workers aged 18 to 34 are the least likely to have a proper desk and chair and are twice as likely to work from bed than older workers.”

Online retailers have reported a huge increase in people searching for laptop stands and support pillows. Although they might make the bed-working regime more comfortable, the reality is that your long-term health, particularly your posture, could suffer. Your neck, back, hips and more are all strained when you’re on a soft surface that encourages you to slump or sprawl.

Working from bed can also affect your mental health. Sophie Bostock, founder of The Sleep Scientist, told the BBC: “If you don’t have a good day at work, you start to change your associations with your bed as being about stress, deadlines, an awkward conversation with your boss.” Stress, of course, can lead to insomnia and the only cure for that is a long Zoom work meeting to help you doze off!

詞匯表

new norm 新常態
cosy 溫暖舒適的，愜意的
duvet day “臥被偷懶假”，員工在感到勞累或稍有不適時可享受的一天假期
recline 向后倚靠
tuck under 臥在、縮在…下面
snuggle up 舒適地躺，偎倚
pyjamas 睡衣褲
laptop stand 筆記本電腦支架
support pillow 支撐頸背等部位的背靠式枕頭
bed-working 在床上辦公的，臥床工作的
comfortable 舒適的，舒服的
posture （坐立的）姿勢
strained （身體部位）使用過度的，負擔過大的
slump 駝背彎腰地坐著
sprawl 攤開四肢坐，懶散地癱坐
stress 緊張，壓力
insomnia 失眠
doze off 打瞌睡，睡著

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. According to the article, what can you wear while working in bed? 

2. Why might younger people be more likely to work from their bed?

3. What aids are people buying to help them work from bed more comfortably?

4. True or false? Surfaces that encourage you to slump can affect your posture.

5. Why might you develop a bad association between work and your bed?

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. There’s nothing better on a cold winter’s night than to _______ with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

snuggle up                    tucked up                          slump up                   cosiest

2. My boyfriend’s been working so hard, I found him _______ over his computer when I got home.

tucked under                 cosy                                  slumped                    posture

3. On holiday I was _______ on a sun bed, drinking cocktails, when all of a sudden it started to rain!

reclined                          reclining                           recline                        reclines

4. On the bus, the man was _______ across the seat, so I had to stand up for the whole journey.

slumped                         tucked                              posture                      sprawled

5. The lecture was so boring, I started to _______.

dozing off                       doze off                            dozed off                   doze out

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。  

1. According to the article, what can you wear while working in bed?
You can work from bed snuggled up in your pyjamas.

2. Why might younger people be more likely to work from their bed?
In the UK at least, workers aged 18 to 34 are the least likely to have a proper desk and chair or a space in the house to work in.

3. What aids are people buying to help them work from bed more comfortably?
Online retailers have reported a huge increase in people searching for laptop stands and support pillows.

4. True or false? Surfaces that encourage you to slump can affect your posture.
True. Your neck, back, hips and more are all strained when you’re on a soft surface that encourages you to slump or sprawl.

5. Why might you develop a bad association between work and your bed?
According to Sophie Bostock “If you don’t have a good day at work, you start to change your associations with your bed as being about stress, deadlines, an awkward conversation with your boss. ”

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. There’s nothing better on a cold winter’s night than to snuggle up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

2. My boyfriend’s been working so hard, I found him slumped over his computer when I got home.

3. On holiday I was reclining on a sun bed, drinking cocktails, when all of a sudden it started to rain!

4. On the bus, the man was sprawled across the seat, so I had to stand up for the whole journey.

5. The lecture was so boring, I started to doze off.