The side effects of staying in bed all day include development of bedsores and body aches, especially in the lower back. Lying in bed all day is also associated with an increased risk of stress and depression, and some other psychological and cardiovascular ailments.
For every week in bed, you lose about 1% of your bone density, making your bones more brittle and easy to fracture. That's why astronauts, who often go for months without gravity, exercise for at least two hours a day and load up on calcium.
Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health. Being active is not as hard as you think. There are lots of simple ways to include some physical activity in your day.
Bed rest also causes the bones to lose density because they aren't performing their normal weight-bearing function. The leg bones are the most likely to be affected. Thinner bones increase the risk of fractures, even with minor falls. Immobility can also lead to limited joint movement.
Oversleeping feels so much like a hangover that scientists call it sleep drunkenness. But, unlike the brute force neurological damage caused by alcohol, your misguided attempt to stock up on rest makes you feel sluggish by confusing the part of your brain that controls your body's daily cycle.
However, some individuals frequently experience an extreme desire to remain in bed. They may even feel like they cannot get out of bed at all. These feelings and desires may be referred to as dysania, clinomania, or clinophilia. All three of these terms describe spending excess time in bed.
It's not the same as sleep, but there are relaxation benefits for your brain and body.
It typically takes about four weeks to recover from the disuse atrophy caused by immobility, which is slower than the recovery from direct muscle trauma (Halar, 1994). Loss of muscle mass and strength can have negative psychological effects on patients, contributing to fatigue and low mood.
The side effects of staying in bed all day include development of bedsores and body aches, especially in the lower back. Lying in bed all day is also associated with an increased risk of stress and depression, and some other psychological and cardiovascular ailments.
Doing this for a year, or any extended period of time, could lead to insomnia, or to something called circadian rhythm disorder. That's when our bodies' natural clocks, that tell us when it's time to sleep, get thrown out of whack in the long term.
Physical therapy
Following a rehabilitation training program can contribute to regaining the lost strength and muscle mass. Physical therapy is the cornerstone of rehabilitation after being bedridden.
Prolonged bed rest affects the amount of fluid in your body and the pressure at which blood is pumped, making it difficult for the body to adapt to activity again. It causes changes in the size of the heart, too, and the body's ability to replenish blood.
Laying on your back for long periods can cause the muscles that support the normal curvature of your back to become fatigued. When you wake up with muscle fatigue, you will experience tight muscles and back pain.
For example, if a person splits with their partner and is overwrought with sadness they may not want to leave their bed for days. They could be called bedbound. But someone who is bedridden can't get out of bed dues to illness or weakness.
Having an inactive lifestyle can be one of the causes of many chronic diseases. By not getting regular exercise, you raise your risk of: Obesity. Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack.
Due to the lack of intense physical activity elderly bedbound patients tend to have lower caloric needs than active seniors.
Not getting enough physical activity can lead to heart disease—even for people who have no other risk factors. It can also increase the likelihood of developing other heart disease risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
The lack of physical and mental stimulation can leave patients feeling lonely and isolated. “Several studies have reported that long periods of bedrest have negative psychological effects on individuals and their family. These include symptoms of depression, anxiety, forgetfulness and confusion.
You can, and should – just start very slowly. Begin with 2 to 5 minutes of walking the first week, repeating it a few times during the day if you can. Increase that by 5 minutes each week. Set a goal to be able to do 15 to 20 minutes of light exercise per session by the fourth to sixth week of your recovery.
The most commonly used model, bed rest has been shown to cause muscle wasting within 10 days in healthy older adults [21]. However, when a head-down position is added (simulating microgravity), Ferrando et al. demonstrated loss of muscle mass within 7 days [22].
While making a habit of spending the day in bed or on the couch is not good for anyone, using it as a well-placed conscious tool for your emotional and mental well-being is absolutely ok. As a matter of fact, it's an investment in your health.
If you are not getting enough sleep, your body will eventually make you sleep. How long it takes you to fall asleep (sleep latency) is affected by how much your body needs to sleep.
Conclusion. Resting your eyes is a good way to relax your body and replenish your eyes before it needs to take on more tasks, but it is in no way a substitute for sleep. Your body needs the replenishing benefits of sleep to function properly and restore itself.
Many cases of tiredness are due to stress, not enough sleep, poor diet and other lifestyle factors. Try these self-help tips to restore your energy levels. If you feel you're suffering from fatigue, which is an overwhelming tiredness that isn't relieved by rest and sleep, you may have an underlying medical condition.
Hypersomnia is a condition in which people have excessive daytime sleepiness. This means they feel tired during the day. Hypersomnia can also include situations in which a person needs to sleep a lot.