Credits: Social Media
I have been doing the hurkle-durkle sleep trend for years, here’s all the health benefits
Let’s talk about the hurkle-durkle sleep trend TikTok users are going gaga over. The practice isn’t too uncommon and you too, just like me, might have been doing it for years without even realizing it.
Current TikTok sleep trend the ‘3 Day Sleep Theory’ has been proven to cause negative side effects. Whereas hurkling-durkling has much more of a positive impact on your health, as long as you’re keeping track of time.
For me, it’s only possible to indulge in the trend only on the weekends. Still, I was surprised by all the great health benefits I’ve experienced over the years. Perhaps, you should try it too.
What does hurkle-durkle mean?
The new TikTok trend derives its name from the Scottish term – hurkle-durkle – meaning, staying in bed for a little longer after waking up in the morning.
The term reportedly dates back to the 1800s and it translates to “draw the body together.” It also means people have been doing the sleep trend for years and I am not surprised why.
I have been hurkling-durkling for years
I have been a light sleeper all my life. But, I thoroughly enjoy cuddling up in my sheets for an extra hour of nap on the weekend, when I don’t have any commitments in the back of my mind.
My three pets don’t have any commitments tying them down, still, they love to cozy up on a Sunday morning with me when I hurkle-durkle as if they don’t do it every day. But I am not complaining.
At first, sleeping longer on the weekends was a luxury because I always kept a long list of things to do on my days off. However, when I was in my late 20s, I realized how relaxing and beneficial the sleep trend was. And now, it’s become a weekly ritual and the one that I love.
There are no hard and fast rules defining the trend, so you can do it at your own pace. Whether you want to spend only a few extra minutes in bed or stay there for hours, it’s up to you.
The trend simply tries to draw attention to the benefits you can draw from doing it regularly.
How the sleep trend has benefited me
Users are singing praises of the hurkle-durkle trend for a lot of reasons and I second them.
Waking up feeling refreshed and energetic
Not only do I wake up feeling fresh after getting an extra hour of nap, but I have ample energy to go about my day without tiring easily.
Every time I woke up feeling relaxed, I was able to make sense of things better with more clarity. We all know how a sleepless night can impair our cognition and the difficulties it tends to pose for the rest of the day.
Better digestion and gut health
Sleeping longer on the weekends and waking up at my own pace improved my digestion and I no longer suffer from bloating or uneasiness.
A healthy sleep cycle is linked to the body producing the hormone melatonin, which helps the intestines digest food better, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
You don’t want to wake up early in the morning after stuffing yourself the previous night. Trust me, it’s not a good feeling.
It helps you maintain body weight
I’ve noticed my body weight changes with my sleep cycle. I gain weight automatically when I am under a lot of stress and sleep less.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the human body tends to release a hormone called Cortisol when under stress. These hormones slow down the “physiological processes that arent crucial to surviving an immediate threat”, including your metabolism.
This results in an increase in your blood pressure and insulin levels, thus making you crave sweets and fatty foods.
However, it’s easier to get back in shape once I’ve reset my sleep cycle, and I make sure to practice the hurkle-durkle sleep trend on the weekend.
It’s helped my mental health immensely
Try this – don’t set an alarm for the morning and wake up naturally when your body is ready – and tell me if you don’t feel any difference.
The feel-good factor that comes with morning naps outside your usual sleeping hours can’t be described in words, you can only experience it.
To me, it acts like a much-needed mental recharge after a long productive week and it’s necessary to be able to function efficiently later as well.
And, you could always use some extra sleep on especially difficult days, when getting out of bed is a struggle, let alone being able to function.
