Why “Bed rotting” won’t cure a bad day. Quite the opposite

Have you ever faced a day so bad that you just wanted to stay in bed? It’s a tempting option when we’re feeling sad, anxious or just can’t mentally manage what’s ahead, but studies show that the act of “bed rotting” (holing up in bed and pretending the day isn’t happening) is almost always going to make you feel worse, rather than better. 

The fact is, our brains feel better when they have stimulation. It’s these age-old facts that we know but sometimes choose to ignore: exercise will inevitably make you feel happier, having that shower is bound to feel refreshing, and eating something healthy and delicious will make us feel more energized than greasy fast food. But taking control of the day doesn’t mean you have to eat nothing but salad and run a 10k. The real antidote to a bad day is to force yourself to do the opposite of rotting in bed. It’s to do something. 

We can only change the outcome of a day if we try. And though it might feel like the last thing we want to do when we’re feeling low, practicing “opposite action” – a therapy term for creating emotional resilience by reaching to do the opposite of what your emotions want you to do – can do wondrous things for our minds and bodies. 

So, when your mind is telling you to pull the covers back up over your head, try to take charge and not let the bed rot win. Instead, do a handful of the following things to take control of your bad day:

• Take a hot shower
• Make a healthy, tasty breakfast  
• Go for a brisk walk outside 
• Call a friend for a chat 
• Tidy up your living space 
• Read a few chapters of a book

And, if you’re feeling really brave, do one of the below things and watch your day transform completely:

• Go to the gym or for a long run – anything that significantly elevates your heart rate 
• Visit a museum, art exhibition or attraction – something that engages your brain 
• Meet up with a friend in person 

What this does is creates the opportunity for something good to happen and forces brain stimulation—a great recipe for feeling happier! 

At Remotify, we specialize in creating positive, human-first work environments. Keeping employees and business leaders happy, while keeping up with the increasingly remote world of work. Want to find out how we can help you? Give our friendly team of experts a call today!