A psychiatrist advises that while bed-rotting days may seem appealing, they do not truly promote rest and offers suggestions for effective rejuvenation.

The trend of "bed rotting" is gaining popularity among millennials and Gen Zers, who are using their off-days and weekends to spend the entire day under their duvets, sleeping in, watching TV or mindlessly scrolling on their devices.

According to Samantha Boardman, a psychiatrist and clinical instructor at Weill-Cornell Medical College and author of the book "Everyday Vitality, Turning Stress Into Strength," the trend of using alcohol as a way to decompress or stave off burnout after a long work week could actually be doing more harm than good.

"Boardman warns CNBC Make It that while it may be tempting to engage in extended periods of bed-rotting, the reality is that many people do not feel much better after doing so. In fact, they may even feel more drained."

Why bed rotting could be doing more harm than good

Rotting bed could disrupt your circadian rhythm, which is your body's natural alarm clock that regulates your sleep and wake cycles, according to Boardman. If you've ever had a bad night's sleep or slept in longer than usual, it may have left you feeling groggy and less refreshed or made it harder to fall asleep at a reasonable time at night.

While getting enough sleep is crucial for your health, an excessive amount of sleep can lead to health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and depression, as stated by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Staring at screens for extended periods can lead to eye strain, sleep disturbances, and poor mental health, according to research.

Boardman argues that when you're spending too much time sleeping, watching TV or scrolling through social media, you're not truly resting. Instead, you're avoiding the issues that are causing your exhaustion, stress or unhealthy habits.

Better ways to recharge

According to Boardman, while lounging in bed for hours may seem like a great way to recharge, true rest requires "intentionality," which is often the opposite of what we feel like doing.

She suggests shaking up your routine by doing any low intensity exercise or relaxing activity that puts you in a good mental state and helps your body recover.

In Boardman's view, rest can encompass any activity that promotes long-term mental or physical well-being.

Going for a walk outside and meeting up with a friend can help alleviate any initial dread, according to Boardman.

A nature walk can be more beneficial to mental health and well-being than an urban walk, as research indicates. Specifically, a 40-minute nature walk can help individuals feel more restored and focused than a 40-minute walk in an urban setting.

Encourage yourself to accomplish something, even if it's just for a brief period. Boardman advises her clients to maintain a record of the tasks they dislike doing, assigning a rating of one to ten based on their level of dread, and then documenting their emotions following task completion.

"They're typically really happy that they did that thing... They went outside, had one-on-one time with someone they care about, and were out in nature in some way," she says. "Doing a little bit of something is much more restorative than just lying in bed."

If you can't leave your home, there are better alternatives to lying in bed, says Dianne Augelli, a sleep medicine specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine/New-York Presbyterian.

To avoid disrupting your sleep, move your screen time to the couch, kitchen table, or guest bedroom, she advised TODAY.com in 2023. Instead of scrolling, try reading or meditating. You can also walk around your home or do a quick follow-along workout to get your blood flowing.

Boardman suggests that active resting can be helpful in ensuring that you are truly refreshed and recharged.

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