So, let’s be honest. We’re all feeling a bit low due to the current state of the world. Political affairs, climate change, the current state of well… everything. It can be difficult to even begin the day with this sense of hopelessness, suffocating you almost as much as the number of blankets you need to get through the winter’s energy crisis.  

But let’s put ourselves out there and try to be positive. Each day can be a complete drag, resulting in countless hours sitting in bed doomscrolling until your eyes go blurry. Believe me, I’ve done this myself. I spend a lot of time just lying there, watching five-hour YouTube videos and crying over anything I can think of, like my old cat or the fact I’m running out of cheese for tonight’s dinner. To put it bluntly, I feel like I’m completely rotting away. So, I’m pushing myself to do better, to feel better, and I thought I would share some of the things that have helped me avoid the dreaded bed rotting. Even if they don’t end up working for you, they might be worth a try.

Number One: Meet a Friend.  

There are days where we really feel like we can’t socialise, and that’s completely OK. I personally always have a bit of time I spend with myself, getting my head around my day-to-day life and how to improve it, etc., but if you have some free time and feel like you could socialise, then seeing a friend can be beneficial. It could be something small, like going out for a walk, or going round to their house for a cup of tea and a natter; just talking to someone about anything can be helpful. Even if that friend just comes to your place, sometimes seeing someone can give you a real boost to be more productive. I especially recommend studying alongside friends too, as their death-stares are usually enough to deter you from scrolling to that next TikTok reel. 

Number Two: Buy Something. 

It’s a materialistic approach I know, but sometimes, simply gifting yourself an item of clothing, some snacks, or the latest The Legend of Zelda game can really give you a boost. It can just be nice to buy something involving your interests. Remember not go overboard, though, and buy that sweet treat every day, or fall into the overconsumption hole of shopping therapy. 

Number Three: Cook Something.  

Honestly, I am embarrassingly terrible at cooking, and expanding my culinary skills has never held much appeal. I’ve found, though, that when I actually cook something by using, say, a frying pan, I feel better than I do after eating cheese and onion pasties for dinner ten days in a row. If cooking is as hard for you as it is for me, then starting small is usually helpful. Even if it’s a simple pesto pasta with a few bits of vegetables in, at least it feels productive. Cooking with friends can also be beneficial – it’s fun to figure it out together, and it’s less work for you. 

Number Four: Read Something.  

Now, this one is a bit of a cheat, because technically you can stay in bed with a book, but believe me, the feeling of being intellectual is much better than the 3 hours of Wicked promotion you watch on TikTok. I’d recommend at least moving location to feel more productive. I usually make my way downstairs, get a comedically huge mug of coffee, turn off my phone (because it really is the damn phone), and read until I have drunk all of said coffee. The feeling of doing something that can make me more knowledgeable that doesn’t involve my phone is something I never tire of. Finding genres you particularly connect with really elevates the experience, making you look forward to reading as well as feeling productive. 

Number Five: Have a Self-Care Night.  

Even doing something as basic as having a shower can be a form of self-care. If you manage to get yourself up, and treat yourself well, then that’s an achievement. Taking care of yourself should be one of your top priorities, so, if it helps to just take a shower, brush your teeth, or tidy your room, then that counts as a win. Just because others might seem to have more productive lives, getting up at six in the morning for a run doesn’t always have to be the solution (and, in my experience, it never is). Something difficult to get over is feeling like you’re doing nothing compared to others, but it’s important to always try and focus on yourself and your goals. 

So, what have we learned? Small adjustments to your life can really go a long way and are beneficial in stopping you from rotting in bed. It’s all about finding what works for you – but hopefully these easy suggestions can help you feel a bit better about yourself.