Reading and Watching Lying Down While You Recover

Sometimes lying down isn't a choice. It might be a bad back, an injury, a long illness or a recovery period. The days are long, and being told to rest doesn't make the boredom any easier. Here are some practical ways to keep reading and watching without sitting up.

Make the hands-free options work for you

• Audiobooks and podcasts take the neck out of it altogether.
• E-readers with page-turn buttons are light and easy to operate one-handed.
• A stand, clamp or floor arm holds a tablet or phone in front of you.
• Voice assistants can handle playlists, timers and lights without reaching.

Where lazy glasses fit in

If you've been advised to lie on your back, lazy glasses let you read a book or watch a screen in front of you without lifting your head. They're one option among several, and the how-it-works guide explains what to expect.

Make the room work

• Keep the remote, charger, water and phone within easy reach.
• Use soft, adjustable lighting you can control from the bed.
• Set the screen or stand up before you lie down.
• Take regular screen breaks and rest your eyes.

Ask for help where you can

Recovery is not the time to be a hero. A friend who sets up the TV at the right height, or a family member who fetches your charger, will do more for your comfort than any gadget. For more setups that reduce strain, see how to read in bed without neck pain.