In a Q&A on their website, NASA notes that boredom during the bed rest experiments “sets in quickly” but that regular visits from family and friends should bring some relief.

Volunteers in the study can move around in bed and chat to one other; they just have to remain horizontal.

Contrary to common perception, volunteers aren’t allowed to sleep the whole time. In fact, they often use the study as an opportunity to try a new skill, such as learning a language or following an online course.

“If you walk though our unit, you will not see people lying around bored,” says project manager Joe Neigut. “They’re very busy. Their phones are ringing. They’re usually enjoying themselves. Sometimes they’ll bring musical instruments… After a few days it feels very normal to them.”

Data from the study will go towards helping weightless astronauts on space missions, as well as supporting bed-ridden people back here on Earth.

To find out more about the experiment and surrender to your inner bed slug, visit NASA’s bed rest page.

Images: Getty, NASA, DLR

NASA scientists want to pay you £12,000 to stay in bed for 70 days