How long to stay in bed after waking up? Science responds

There is nothing better than power to sleep see you later, whether on holidays, weekends or long-awaited vacations from work.

On these occasions, it is not uncommon for people to remain lying down for a longer period of time, even after they have woken up.

However, many people’s doubts are whether this could have negative consequences for their health. The topic is so popular that there are several debates on forums and social networks on the internet, but, according to experts, this issue is more complex.

Could staying in bed for too long be harmful?

There are days when getting up can be more difficult than others – Image: Reproduction

According to sleep psychologist at Manhattan Therapy Collective and associate professor of psychology at Fairleigh Dicksinson University, Eleanor McGlinchey, the desire for autonomy makes human beings appreciate moments in bed after waking up.

Just as there is ‘revenge procrastination at bedtime’, when a person stays up later to make up for the time dedicated to work during the day, extra time in bed is understood as a break just for us before taking on responsibilities everyday.

Generally, the transition from sleep to daily activities is often abrupt, especially for those who have children and need to prepare breakfast and tidy up the children while they sleep.

Now, anyone who can afford to delay the start of the routine a little needs to establish some limits.

The extra minutes lying down can turn into wasted hours, especially if the individual starts to entertain themselves on social media.

“For some people, checking email or watching the news while still in bed can increase stress,” notes McGlinchey. “This can result in an even worse state of mind”, concludes the psychologist.

Therefore, it is essential to plan in advance how to make the most of the extra time in bed. This helps to avoid episodes of delays and even feeling unwell.

After all, no one wants to arrive at work or school late and have to make excuses for it.

“I always advise people to be proactive with this time,” says McGlinchey. “Don’t let late-night notifications control your morning. Be intentional with your time”, advises the expert.

But there is a beneficial side to this ‘lazy moment’. Reading the news, answering emails or even sending messages to friends when we haven’t woken up yet helps those who need to deal with immediate obligations after waking up.

There is no recommendation or strict rule about the acceptable period of time to remain in this state, but if it becomes a habit, 15 to 30 minutes are enough for most people to organize their thoughts.

“If you wake up feeling good and it doesn’t interfere with your routine, there’s no reason to change it,” says Marjorie Soltis, a sleep medicine specialist and assistant professor of neurology at Duke University School of Medicine. “However, I think 30 minutes is a good limit,” suggests Marjorie.