A new survey from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor reveals that 43% of Brits have indulged in a day of ‘bed rotting’ in the last month, with a further 15% admitting they do this more than once a week.
The trend, which involves staying in bed for extended periods of time to watch TV, snack on food and scroll on social media, has amassed more than 130 million views on TikTok.
However, despite being circulated as a wellness trend, with 49% of Brits believing it to be a form of self-care, are there more beneficial techniques to try?
To find out, Dr Bhavini Shah GP from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor explains how ‘bed rotting’ could actually have a negative impact on your health and offers alternative self-care tips to try instead.
The long-term impact of bed rotting
While taking the time to relax is important for your wellbeing, staying in bed for extended periods of time isn’t always going to help. From stiff joints to lack of sunlight, there are a number of reasons to limit the time you spend in bed when you aren’t sleeping.
Sleep problems
Staying in bed during the daytime could impact the quality of your sleep during the night, especially if you are napping intermittently and not engaging in any physical activity or getting any natural light.
Not only that but spending long periods of time watching TV and using social media in the early evening can disrupt sleep, as the blue light emitted from these electronic devices makes us feel alert and engaged.
It is often a good idea to avoid being in bed unless you are actually planning to go to sleep, and you feel tired. This helps to ensure that being in bed is associated with sleep and not those activities that increase alertness.
Decreased cardiovascular health
There are a lot of benefits to getting daily exercise, even if it’s just a brisk 10-minute walk in nature which can contribute towards a positive mood and high energy.
Regular exercise also helps to improve cardiovascular health, with a recent study suggesting a strong link between a sedentary lifestyle and cardiovascular disease. The study also found that those who walk just 2,337 steps a day can decrease the risk of dying from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
If you do want to enjoy some restorative time, just make sure you keep moving regularly throughout the day. If you don’t want to go for a walk, gentle yoga and stretching can also be beneficial for both the body and mind.
Joint stiffness
When you lie in bed for a long period of time, your muscles can become weak. It can also make your joints, ligaments and tendons stiff. In extreme cases of prolonged bed rest, muscles can become permanently shortened.
Mental health conditions
Common symptoms of depression and anxiety include social withdrawal and taking part in fewer activities with friends and family. While spending one day in bed isn’t a huge cause for concern, if this is a regular occurrence in a person’s life, it may be a sign of a mental health condition and may need some support.
If you or someone you know is participating in the ‘bed rotting’ trend and also experiencing psychological symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, it’s important to seek support from a local healthcare provider.
Vitamin D Deficiency
The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors, so if you’re staying inside with the curtains drawn, it’s possible you aren’t going to get enough in your system.
Vitamin D deficiency is most common during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight, so spending more time outdoors during this time is important. The Government also advises everyone to consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during this time.
Vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are all needed to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
Type 2 diabetes
Studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with being overweight and obese, along with type 2 diabetes. This is because a sedentary lifestyle can slow the metabolism, impacting how easily the body regulates blood sugar and insulin levels, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
If you remain sedentary throughout the day, you may also find it difficult to fall asleep in the evening. In fact, research led by the University of Bristol shows that insomnia can also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Regularly exercising and adding more physical activity throughout the day will help lower the risk of diabetes, by improving blood sugar, insulin levels, and helping you maintain a healthy weight. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Constipation
When you stay in bed for long periods of time or are inactive, your digestive system slows down, causing stools to move more slowly through the intestine and rectum. This can cause constipation, along with cramping and excess gas.
If you are suffering from constipation, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and include extra fibre as part of your diet.
GP’s tips for relaxation
“Although occasionally spending a day in bed is fine, if you are looking for ways to relax, there are a number of healthy alternatives that will relieve stress in both the body and mind. Practising a creative hobby or activity you enjoy, spending time in nature, or even taking a yoga class are all great ways to nourish yourself in a healthy way.
If you’re feeling consistently stressed, it is a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider who can help you understand how to manage these feelings and offer personalised support.”
