Sleep expert urges people to avoid 'bed rotting' as social media trend could have shocking consequences

People have been warned to avoid the 'bed rotting' trend that has gained popularity online.

Experts claim that it could lead to a number of long-term health issues if you aren't careful.

The trend has gained traction on social media in the last year or so, going viral among younger users in particular.

It basically consists of staying in bed for a whole day or weekend, doing nothing more, as it claims to benefit your health and mental health, while allowing you to catch up on sleep.

Bed rotting may not be as beneficial as you think (Getty Stock Photo)

It's becoming more of a common practice, as according to Mental Health UK, one in five adults aren't getting enough sleep.

However, Bunk Beds expert Adeel Ul-Haq explained to the Mirror that 'bed rotting' isn't the way to go about combating your problems, as it can lead to depression, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke.

While many younger people think that it can help with the stresses of everyday life and allows them to recharge their batteries, Adeel says that this isn't the case at all.

"The research on catch-up sleep is very limited, and while some people may see positive effects on their mental and physical well-being, as a long-term strategy, you're much better off maintaining a consistent sleep schedule every evening," he highlighted.

The expert went on to highlight that making up for poor sleep in the week by sleeping in on the weekend still creates a 'sleep debt', which will be paid through an increased calorie intake, less energy usage, weight gain and health problems.

Getting a consistent amount of sleep every night is the way to go about it (Getty Stock Photo)

Though people may love the sound of lying around doing nothing for an entire day, it turns out that too much lying down can cause high blood pressure, which is known as supine hypertension or nocturnal hypertension.

This can happen when the autonomic nervous system doesn't function properly.

Another factor that can cause people to bed rot is a lack of natural light, something to consider with the winter months approaching - a SAD lamp might be your saviour in this situation.

Regular exercise should also be high up on the priority list, while Adeel warns that spending too much time awake in bed means that your brain will get used to bed rotting, making it harder to fall asleep.

"By spending time in bed all day, you are impacting the amount of natural sunlight your body is exposed to," he explained.

Exposure to sunlight helps to regulate your hormones and sleep, which happens as your skin produces melanin, which can be used to create the hormone melatonin, which helps with sleep.

Staying in bed all day can bring on a number of health issues (Getty Stock Photo)

Adeel further added: "A lack of melatonin can disrupt your circadian rhythm and sleep pattern, leading to an irregular sleep-wake cycle.

"Our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, relies on consistent patterns of light and dark. When disrupted, it can throw off your body's natural processes, often resulting in grogginess, mood swings, and a weakened immune system."

A regular sleep routine is key to stop bed rotting, instead of catching up on bed, 'creating a relaxing environment' to fall asleep in.

"Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and never lie in on the weekends, as this can disrupt that pattern," Adeel recommended.

The recommended temperature for sleep is anywhere from 16-18°C, and it's advised that you avoid looking at screens for an hour before some shut-eye.

Keeping your room clean and distinct from a living space can also send the right message to your brain that it is a place for sleep.