More people than ever are spending large chunks of their days in bed — not exactly sleeping but passing time on cold winter days under the duvet while working, scrolling socials and even eating.
It’s a phenomenon peculiar to Gen Z, backed up by surveys that show that up to half of young people are engaged in the practice of “bed rotting”. Many are lured into living in bed by trends on TikTok that claim it benefits mental health.
Not everyone, however, is impressed, or even sure there are advantages to staying in bed for anything but what it’s meant for: sleep. Some mental health experts warn that not jumping out of bed when the alarm goes off but lingering under the covers for extended periods could be a sign of depression.
Whatever the reasons, there’s no denying that winter depression is all too real, evidenced by people’s generally subdued demeanour and eagerness to stay indoors and the explosion of interest in simple therapies like SAD lamps. But the signs of gloom and depression during the cold months are not always evident, according to mental health experts.
Examining the Reasons for ‘Bed Rotting’
Seeing someone spending lots of time in bed, when they should be up and doing things, may appear as depression but the person might be feeling something else, says Bonnie Lambert, psychiatric nurse practitioner at Portland, Oregon, treatment centre Crestview Recovery.
“‘Bed rotting’ vs. depression can be very similar in appearance, but the feeling is different underneath the surface,” she says. “A good night’s sleep should be rejuvenating and temporary – depression is heavy, numb and difficult to escape from.”
If it’s a case of winter depression brought on by dark days, long nights and freezing temperatures, an afflicted person is not likely to recover by staying in bed, Lambert says.
“In depression, there is withdrawal, along with impairment in functioning that involves missed responsibilities, lack of contact, trouble getting started, changes in appetite and sleep and feelings of ‘can’t’”.
But she added that “spending too much time in bed might sometimes be a symptom of being overwhelmed emotionally, rather than being lazy.
“People might find themselves spending too much time in bed because they’re trying to avoid feelings of anxiety, loneliness, shame, loss and stress that they experience on a daily basis.
The Right Kind of Winter Rest
Therapist Dr. Barek Sharif, chief clinical officer of mental health centre 449 Recovery in California, argues that taking rest breaks during the winter months should “feel good”.
It’s downtime, he says, that’s “a matter of choice that is rejuvenating enough to leave us with the ability to engage with others again and tackle the rest of life without feeling like we’re fighting ourselves internally”.
He said “[s]heltering in bed for extended periods ultimately isolates and warned that a ”huge red flag for clinicians is when withdrawal starts to tax intimate relationships and build shame instead of providing release”.
Dr. Sharif said that “this form of depression, understood to be associated with attachment stress in early life, circadian rhythm disturbance and emotional dysregulation, shows up instead as a sophisticated clinical response to environmental and relational stressors.
“It should be taken seriously, and professional help sought, if patterns of withdrawal, low mood and disconnection set in and jeopardise sense of purpose, relationships or daily functioning.”
Recognising the Symptoms of Winter Depression
Gen Z didn’t come up with the notion of lazing about in bed all day. It’s long been a tradition in many parts of the world during cold months. In Scotland, for instance, the practice has for centuries been known as hurkle-durkle.
Hurkle means hunker to the Scots and staying in bed when you should have been long out of it is neither a cause for concern or embarrassment in Scotland; rather, it’s about relaxation and just taking it easy. It can possibly help stave off the winter blues, many Scots say. Plus, in a cold house, you stay warm.
But how do you know if you’re battling a case of the winter blues of struggling with a deep and lingering depression and wondering if you should seek help? Is lying in bed too long an underlying cause or just a basic indulgence at the start of the day?
Amanda Ferrara, a family therapist at California treatment centre Ocean Recovery, says there are many types of depression but that there is one underlying pattern: low energy, feeling sad and worrying about things. And, she says, a “deadness” about the person. She cautions that neither sleep nor time will deal with these problems.
“Withdrawing, whether with months on end of Netflix binging and snuggling with pets, is an underlying trauma response, especially when avoidance is our primary coping strategy,” says Ferrara.
“People can waive off seasonal depression as a mild, brief and trivial difficulty, neglecting to realise that, if fully manifest, the condition is one of clinically significant symptoms that impede people from functioning well at work, in relationships or taking care of important, daily life tasks.”
She advises that depression in the winter months is usually marked by “changes in sleep and eating habits, poor concentration and a dip in mood” and recommends people get professional help if they have any of these symptoms for a fortnight or more. It’s especially important to see someone, she says, if they “get progressively worse or interfere with your ability to function”.
Withdrawal Warning Signs
Millions of people suffer from low mood and depression in the winter, according to one estimate, with low energy and enthusiasm and a feeling like they want to hibernate until sunny days return. They tend to stay in bed much longer, eat too much and generally avoid social contact.
Given the substantial numbers affected, it may surprise some to learn that not a lot is known about the condition, says Claire Law, a psychotherapist at parenting platform Custody X Change.
“Seasonal depression in general tends to be poorly understood, and by misinterpreting it as typical winter doldrums, adults can overlook when children and parents are in psychological pain,” she said.
Law said people should not be concerned if family members withdrew for short periods, as long as they were still available to others in the household, because that is relatively healthy. But they should look out if it persists.
“Warning signs to be aware of are when the withdrawal becomes rigid and prolonged, accompanied by irritability, tearfulness, or emotionally shutting down,” she said.
Sometimes people use the excuse of tiredness as a reason for staying in bed for long stretches, especially during bereavement, family upset or periods of transition, Law said.
“The concern is more when the decline is in routines, communication or a sense of safety in the family. Where it becomes important to access support is if the withdrawal continues or if it is affecting emotional functioning.”
Erik Larson, a Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and owner of Larson Mental Health clinics around Colorado, agrees.
“A healthy rest leaves you feeling refreshed and motivated. If you have no energy even after sleeping, and feelings of emptiness and hopelessness persist for weeks, this is a cause for concern,” he said.
Larson pointed out that it wasn’t the actual time spent in bed sleeping, or resting, that was important but the effect it had on the person.
“Long stays in bed or social abstinence may seem like an attempt to recuperate and rest, but sometimes it can be a way to escape emotions and reality. In the latter case, a person does not consciously choose rest, but gets stuck in it because they lack the energy to cope with everyday tasks. This can mask depression, anxiety or the exacerbation of other conditions.”
He said that while depression caused multiple issues, it could just be an adaptation to seasonal change.
“One common misconception is that seasonal depression is simply a bad mood due to the weather. In reality, depression affects sleep, appetite, thinking, and self-perception, not just emotional states. However, not every winter drop in energy is depression, as it can simply be a reaction to adapting to the darkness and cold.”
If low mood persisted for more than three weeks and was negatively imparting their lives, Larson advised that people should talk to a mental health professional.
“It’s especially important to seek help immediately if you experience feelings of worthlessness or that life has lost its meaning,” he said.
A Fine Line Between Rest and Winter Blues
Not everyone necessarily needs to worry about a sudden lack of motivation during the winter months, however. Experts say it’s often down to a combination of factors at this time of year, including low levels of vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin; far less or no physical activity, because it may be too cold to go out and run, cycle or play soccer; and just general bad weather that forces people to stay indoors.
But hunkering down under the duvet may not always be the answer, says Jared Dalton, clinical director of Blueprint Counselling in London, Ontario.
“The trouble is that this might not be the rest that people really need, particularly if they end up spending the day doom scrolling under the covers,” he said.
“Whether you’re experiencing burnout from life in a chaotic world or seasonal depression, the antidote is often found through engagement in meaningful activities that provide a sense of connection and community, a source of pleasure or achievement and reflect your core values.”
But with sleep issues also affecting up to a billion people around the world, the simple act of lying in bed even if you can’t drift off can also be beneficial in terms of rest and giving the body a break, medical experts say. Just be mindful, they caution, of lingering too long in case it masks symptoms that could manifest in winter depression that affects overall wellbeing for months.
