We all have those days we can barely motivate to do anything, but is the practice of “bed-rotting” really doing you any good?
If, like me, you have some miles on your odometer, you might not have heard the term, but bed-rotting is probably a familiar idea, at least: it’s the supposed self-care practice of simply staying in bed all day despite not being sick. Devotees order food in, binge-watch favorite TV shows or movies, and stay in their PJs all day. And I can see the appeal of that, but at the same time, it feels very psychologically off to me.
I’m not saying that you aren’t allowed to have the occasional crash-and-burn sort of day, of course. We all have those from time to time. I’m saved from being too couch-potato-y because my dog insists on walks even when I’m worn out—and that’s the crux of my argument in favor of doing. I know the temptation of staying in bed all day, but I also know that after I clip on the pup’s harness and take him around the block (or further, when he so demands), I feel noticeably better. Before we head out the door, I can feel like I am completely unable to function that entire day, but after our short walk I almost always tackle a simple task—maybe some oatmeal for breakfast, or maybe even pancakes.
In so many pieces of our functioning, I find that a lot of what I do sets the tone for more of the same. Activity, even of the most simple sort, makes me feel engaged with the world. And being engaged with the world feels a heck of a lot better than the alternative.
So next time you’re feeling really beat, try an indulgence that gets you on your feet. Bake some cookies or write a letter to an old friend.
And if you’re feeling the pull of the bed really frequently, it may be time to consider a new job that builds you up instead of pulling you down!
