What you choose to do after a long day can have both positive and negative effects on your physical and mental health.

“Bed rotting” is a trend on TikTok in which individuals remain in bed for long periods of time but do not sleep.

The trend has grown in popularity, particularly with Gen Zers and Millennials, reported CNBC.

“People feel really empowered by this trend,” sleep scientist Vanessa Hill told CBS News Baltimore. ”So many of us are tired because we feel pressured to do it all and trends like bed rotting aren’t really about just wasting away your days in your bed. They’re about allowing yourself to do less and telling ourselves that doing less is okay.”

The Benefits 

Taking a break when needed, such as when sick, injured, or dealing with emotional stress, can lead to physical and mental benefits, according to Aura Health.

Lying down triggers your body’s relaxation response, lowering your heart and breath rate. This also relaxes muscles, reduces blood pressure, and calms the nervous system.

Lying down also improves our body’s digestive system. When standing or sitting, gravity pulls down on our organs, making it harder to digest food. Lying down allows the stomach to relax and function more efficiently. However, those who suffer from acid reflux should be cautioned as they may find that lying down after eating exacerbates their symptoms.

Lying in bed can also improve spinal health by allowing our spine to rest, which can help reduce pain and improve spinal alignment. The best position is to lie on your back with a pillow under the knees to ease pressure on the lower back. Lying down can also help reduce muscle tension and pain.

Another benefit of lying down is enhanced blood circulation and reductions in swelling.

Alongside these many physical benefits, lying down can also benefit our mental health. By lying down, our bodies become more relaxed, which reduces stress and promotes relaxation. When we are more relaxed, our bodies do not produce high cortisol levels. Lying down can also boost creativity and even problem-solving skills.

The Disadvantages 

“It’s very tempting, but the reality is, many people, after they engage in some extended period of bed rotting, they don’t feel that much better. If anything, they feel a little bit more drained,” Samantha Boardman, a psychiatrist and author of Everday Vitality, Turning Stress Into Strength, told CNBC.

Staying in bed for prolonged periods of time can actually make you feel more tired, according to Amerisleep.

This is due to disrupting the circadian rhythms that help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. When the sleep-wake cycle is interrupted, it can lead to feelings of grogginess, disorientation, and fatigue.

“Disruption of these cycles can result in insomnia and poor sleep quality, further compounding physical and mental health issues,” Dr. Jordan Burns told Amerisleep.

Excessive time in bed can also lead to muscle weakness, reduced cardiovascular fitness, impaired glucose tolerance, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.

“A lack of physical activity disrupts normal metabolic and musculoskeletal functions, leading to decreased muscle strength and bone mass. This can be particularly detrimental for those with chronic conditions, as it exacerbates pain and weakness, limiting mobility even further,” Burns told Amerisleep.

One major risk factor for staying in bed for extended periods is depression.

“Beyond the physical impacts, excessive time spent in bed can significantly affect mental health,” Dr. Burns shared. “When confined to one’s bed, the lack of sensory and social stimulation can lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness, impacting overall well-being.”

Research has also shown an association between long sleep hours and obesity, an epidemic facing our nation and the world. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher, and it substantially increases a person’s risk of various negative health outcomes. As reported by The Dallas Express, excess weight has been connected to a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, cancer, dementia, infertility, and more.