Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Back Safety: Getting Into and Out of Bed

Good posture protects your back when you sit, stand, and walk. It is also important while getting into and out of bed. Follow the steps below to get out of bed. Reverse them to get into bed.

Safety tip

Sit at the side of the bed for a few seconds before standing up. Then, after you stand up, wait a moment before walking to be sure you’re not dizzy.

1. Roll onto your side

  • Keep your knees together.

  • Tighten your stomach muscles to keep your back from arching.

  • Put your hands on the bed in front of you.

2. Raise your body

  • Push your upper body off the bed as you swing your legs to the floor.

  • Keeping your back straight, move your whole body as one unit. Don’t bend or twist at the waist.

  • Let the weight of your legs help you move.

Woman pushing her upper body off the bed.
Raise your body.

3. Stand up

  • Lean forward from your hip and roll onto the balls of your feet.

  • Tighten your stomach muscles to keep your back from arching.

  • Using your arm and leg muscles, push yourself to a standing position.

Woman leaning forward on edge of bed and pushing herself up with hands braced on legs.
Stand up.

Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Thomas N Joseph MD
Date Last Reviewed: 3/1/2025
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.