Hurkle-Durkle: The Centuries-Old Morning Habit Making a Comeback

Key Takeaways

Nearly 3 in 5 Americans engage in the hurkle-durkle trend.
Women are 23% more likely than men to hurkle-durkle.
4 in 5 Gen Zers hurkle-durkle, the most of all generations.
Hurkle-durklers are 5x more likely to procrastinate than those who do not hurkle-durkle.

Do you ever find yourself lingering in bed long after your alarm goes off? You’re not alone. A growing number of Americans are embracing hurkle-durkle, the Scottish term for staying in bed well past waking up.

Once seen as mere procrastination, this habit is now being recognized as a conscious choice for relaxation, mental well-being, and even productivity. In this article, we explore the rise of hurkle-durkle, uncovering its motivations, generational trends, and effects on work, stress, and overall health.

We’ll break down key survey findings, including how factors like remote work, lifestyle shifts, and cultural attitudes influence this trend. Could hurkle-durkle be the secret to a better morning — or is it a productivity killer? Let’s dive in.

Growing Popularity of Hurkle Durkle

The recent surge in popularity of “hurkle-durkle” can be traced to its viral spread on social media, particularly through TikTok, in early 2024. The spread of the term reflects a broader cultural shift in how society views rest and productivity.

While the original Scottish definition from the 1800s carried a slightly judgmental tone about staying in bed “when one should be up and about,” modern social media users have reclaimed the concept as a form of intentional self-care and mindful morning routine.

This reframing resonates particularly with younger generations who are increasingly questioning traditional productivity-focused mindsets and seeking ways to prioritize mental well-being.

The trend has even caught the attention of dictionary authorities, with Dictionary.com adding “bed rotting” (a related concept) to its database in February 2024, demonstrating how these social media conversations about rest and relaxation are influencing mainstream language and culture.

However, health professionals have also weighed in, suggesting that while occasional hurkle-durkling can be beneficial for mental well-being, it should be practiced mindfully and not interfere with maintaining healthy sleep patterns or daily responsibilities.

How Hurkle-Durkle Affects Career, Health and Happiness

We surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore the “hurkle-durkle” trend and its impact on daily life. The average age of respondents was 50; 50% were female, and 50% were male. Generationally, 9% were baby boomers, 21% were Gen X, 52% were millennials, and 18% were Gen Z.

Weekday Morning Lounging Habits

18% get up right away.
28% lounge for 1–5 minutes
25% stay in bed for 6–10 minutes.
15% linger for 11–20 minutes.
8% remain in bed for 21–30 minutes.
6% lounge for more than 30 minutes.

Weekend Morning Lounging Habits

9% get up right away.
14% lounge for 1–5 minutes.
18% stay in bed for 6–10 minutes.
21% linger for 11–20 minutes
16% remain in bed for 21–30 minutes.
22% lounge for more than 30 minutes.

Fair Use Statement

These findings may be shared for noncommercial purposes as long as proper credit is given via a link.

Beyond the Bed: Better Ways to Take Care of Yourself

While giving yourself a few peaceful minutes in bed isn’t bad, spending too much time lying there awake might not help you feel your best. Think of it like sitting in your car without going anywhere – you’re comfortable, but you’re not moving forward with your day.

Instead, there are many gentle ways to care for yourself in the morning that can help both your body and mind feel better. These activities don’t have to be difficult or take a lot of time. They’re more like small gifts you give yourself to start the day well.

Moving Your Body

You don’t need to do hard exercise when you wake up, like you’re preparing for a marathon. Even gentle stretching beside your bed can wake up your muscles and help you feel more alert. Think about reaching up high, touching your toes, or doing slow twists.

These moves get your blood flowing and help your body wake up naturally. If you want to do more, a short walk or some stretchy poses can make you feel good by releasing chemicals in your brain that boost your mood.

Getting Some Fresh Air

Opening your curtains and letting in sunlight tells your body it’s time to wake up. If you can, step outside for a few minutes – the fresh air and morning light can help you feel more energetic all day long. If you have plants, spending a few minutes watering them or looking at new growth can be very calming.

You could also try grounding or earthing, a simple but powerful morning practice where you make direct contact between your bare feet and the earth’s surface, whether that’s grass, sand, or soil. When you first wake up, instead of rushing to put on shoes, try stepping outside and spending 5-10 minutes with your feet touching natural ground.

You can make this part of your morning routine by combining it with other gentle activities. Like drinking your morning tea outside while standing barefoot on grass, doing simple stretches with your feet in the dirt, or even just taking a few deep breaths while standing on natural ground before starting your day.

Self-Massage

Start with your face by using your fingertips to make small circles at your temples – this helps wake up your facial muscles and can ease any tension from sleep. Think of it like gently erasing the tiredness from your face. Move to your jaw, making gentle circles there too, since many people hold tension in their jaw while sleeping.

Next, try rolling your shoulders slowly and massaging them with the opposite hand. Pay attention to any spots that feel tight, just like finding a knot in a shoelace. You can also rub your neck carefully, working from the base of your skull down to where your neck meets your shoulders. Many people find this helps them feel more awake and reduces morning stiffness.

For your hands and arms, try squeezing and releasing each finger, then use your thumb to make small circles in your palm. This is especially helpful if you use your hands a lot during the day. You can even do this while still sitting in bed. It’s like giving each hand a gentle wake-up call.

Morning Skincare

A morning skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Think of it like layering clothes, where you start with the lightest layer and build up.

Begin by splashing your face with lukewarm water or using a gentle cleanser to wash away any sweat or oils that built up during sleep. The temperature shouldn’t be too hot or cold, just like finding the right temperature for a comfortable bath.

After cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp (like morning grass with dew), apply any treatments or serums you use. These work better on slightly wet skin, just like a sponge soaks up water better when it’s already a little damp.

Follow with a moisturizer to lock in the hydration. It’s like putting a lid on a container to keep the contents fresh.

The final and most important step is sunscreen, even if you’ll be inside most of the day. You wouldn’t leave your house without a roof, so don’t leave your skin without protection.

Calming Your Mind

Instead of just lying there with your thoughts racing, try sitting quietly for five minutes and focusing on your breathing. Another helpful activity is writing in a journal. You could write about what you’re thankful for or what you hope to do that day. This gives your mind something specific to focus on.

Being Creative

The morning can be a great time to do something creative that makes you happy. You might want to draw, write a story, or play some music. Unlike just lying in bed, these activities give you something to show for your time, which can make you feel good about yourself.

Connecting with Others

Spending a little time with family, pets, or even sending nice messages to friends can make you feel better than being alone in bed. Small chats in the morning can improve your mood for the whole day.

Making Your Space Nice

Taking a few minutes to make your bed, tidy up your nightstand, or set out what you need for the day can help you feel more in control. These small tasks get both your body and mind moving while making your space more peaceful.

FAQs

What is the difference between hurkle durkle and bed rot?

Hurkle-durkle and bed rotting represent different intensities of staying in bed beyond wake time. Hurkle-durkle describes a brief morning habit where people linger in bed for typically less than 30 minutes after waking, with most weekday practitioners staying for 10 minutes or less.

Bed rotting, in contrast, involves deliberately spending entire days in bed engaged with electronic devices or leisure activities as a complete retreat from daily responsibilities.

While hurkle-durkle is increasingly viewed as a conscious choice for relaxation, bed rotting has raised more serious concerns among mental health professionals. This is because bed rotting can be both a symptom and contributing factor to depression, even though some social media users celebrate it as a form of self-care and burnout prevention.

How do I know if my morning routine is too rushed?

Your mornings might be too rushed if you often feel stressed while getting ready and skip important things like breakfast or brushing your teeth because you’re running late. Think about how it feels in your body when you’re rushing. Your heart might beat faster, your muscles might feel tight, and you might feel worried about being late.

A good morning routine gives you enough time to handle everything you need to do, plus a little extra time in case something unexpected happens. For example, if it usually takes you 30 minutes to get ready, plan for 45 minutes so you don’t feel panicked if you can’t find your keys or if traffic is bad. This extra time helps you feel calm and prepared for your day.

Does it count as hurkle durkle if I have breakfast in bed?

Having breakfast in bed doesn’t technically count as hurkle-durkle, since you’re actively taking care of an important daily need rather than just lingering in a drowsy state. Hurkle-durkle specifically refers to staying in bed after waking without engaging in productive activities, like scrolling through your phone or hitting the snooze button repeatedly.

However, if you find yourself using breakfast in bed as an excuse to stay in bed much longer and delay starting your day’s activities, then you’re combining breakfast with hurkle-durkle behavior, which could impact your productivity just like traditional hurkle-durkle habits do.

What is dysania?

Dysania is characterized by extreme difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, going far beyond normal grogginess or reluctance to start the day. Unlike occasional sluggishness, people with dysania experience severe physical and psychological distress when trying to leave their bed, often leading to significant disruption in their daily lives.

This condition frequently occurs alongside depression and other mental health conditions, requiring professional medical attention rather than simple lifestyle changes to address.

How long is too long in bed?

The amount of time spent in bed becomes problematic when it regularly exceeds your actual sleep needs and starts interfering with daily activities and responsibilities.

While most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, spending more than 10-12 hours in bed regularly, especially during waking hours, can disrupt your circadian rhythm and contribute to poor sleep quality.

It’s particularly concerning if extended time in bed is accompanied by withdrawal from normal activities, decreased motivation, or symptoms of depression, as these may indicate a need for medical evaluation.

What is clinophilia?

Clinophilia refers to an excessive desire to stay in bed, even when not sleeping, and goes beyond normal feelings of comfort or relaxation in bed. This often manifests as spending excessive time in bed during waking hours, using it as a retreat from daily responsibilities and social interactions.

Unlike casual bed lounging, clinophilia can significantly impact daily functioning and may indicate underlying mental health conditions that require professional attention.

Conclusion

While the growing popularity of hurkle-durkle reflects changing attitudes toward rest and productivity in our society, the practice requires thoughtful consideration rather than wholesale embrace or rejection. It’s not dangerous in the way that neck hanging or restricted sleep trends can be, but still requires a mindful approach.

The survey data reveals that most Americans—particularly younger generations—are incorporating some form of morning lounging into their routines, with notably different patterns between weekdays and weekends. This suggests people are finding ways to balance this desire for gentle mornings with their daily responsibilities.

However, the key distinction lies in how this extra bed time is used. Brief, mindful morning relaxation of 5-10 minutes can serve as a gentle transition into the day. But extended periods of hurkle-durkle may signal or contribute to larger issues with sleep quality, mental health, or daily functioning.

The line between restorative rest and avoidant behavior isn’t always clear, which is why health professionals emphasize the importance of examining our morning habits thoughtfully.

Rather than viewing hurkle-durkle as inherently good or bad, we might better understand it as one of many potential morning practices—alongside movement, fresh air, self-care routines, and mindful activities—that can either support or hinder our wellbeing depending on how we implement them.

The goal isn’t to eliminate comfort and rest from our mornings, but to create intentional routines that energize us for the day ahead while honoring our need for gentle transitions. As our understanding of rest and productivity continues to evolve, finding this balance will remain an important personal journey for each individual.

How do you approach your mornings? We’d love to hear your perspective and how you balance rest with productivity in your daily routine. Share your story in the comments below—whether you’re a dedicated early riser, an occasional hurkle-durkler, or someone who has found creative alternatives for morning self-care:

Have you noticed generational differences in morning routines among your family and friends?
Has remote work and sleep habits changed how you think about morning relaxation?
What morning practices have you found most beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing?

Your experiences might help others reflect on their own habits and discover new ways to create more mindful mornings.

Don’t forget to share this article with friends and family members who might be wrestling with their own morning routines. Together, we can foster a more nuanced discussion about rest, productivity, and the evolving ways we choose to start our days.

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