# How long is too long to stay in bed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733 "2024-02-18T17:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/1 "2024-02-18T17:32:36Z")
Asking for a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/2 "2024-02-18T17:33:40Z")
If you’re getting bed sores, you might want to at least change position. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/3 "2024-02-18T17:36:45Z")
With or without a cat? Because if I’m in bed, and want to get up, but the cat is using me, the cat says that it’s too soon if they aren’t done sleeping on/near me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/4 "2024-02-18T18:23:25Z")
No such thing as “too long” if you have a tablet with both stored movies and TV shows and access to streaming content and the internet in general, plus a Kindle, plus a headboard that is actually a bookshelf loaded with physical books, plus a side table loaded with more books. Getting in and out of bed is a lot like getting in and out of a pool. Either in or out is fine, but the transition is annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/5 "2024-02-18T18:25:19Z")
Right there in the very first reply by Dewey Finn. Asked and answered. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/6 "2024-02-18T18:30:43Z")
With my new mattress, the answer apparently is “Never.” It sustains and nourishes me. It is life, it is joy, it is eternal. The responsibilities of my life say otherwise, however. They say “Eight hours, tops.” ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/7 "2024-02-18T18:39:15Z")
Mister and Owner Madigan, in the Cordwainer Smith SF book slept for tens of years at a time, just waking up for a few hours to check on things now and again. Of course he had robots to keep things properly under control in the meantime… Wake me up in 50 years or so… ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/8 "2024-02-18T18:47:22Z")
[Wake me up](https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A?t=36) before you go. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/9 "2024-02-18T18:52:38Z")
I’m idly curious what prompted the O.P. Personal best guess is it involves a teenager in some way, and also that the word “lazy” and possibly the phrase “good for nuthin’!” came up. > [@wolfpup](#): > > No such thing as “too long” if you have … May wanna add “bedpan” or “diapers” to that list, if you’re really gonna commit. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Getting in and out of bed is a lot like getting in and out of a pool. Either in or out is fine, but the transition is annoying. This is profoundly true. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/10 "2024-02-18T19:11:30Z")
I wonder if John and Yoko weren’t right? I kinda live in my bed. If not for Ivy prodding me out on far too many occasions, I think I’d be in there permanently, except for bathroom and pet needs. I’m tryin’ folks. With help. Where’s my poster paper and markers. I want “Bed Peace” “Hair Peace” would be nice, too! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/11 "2024-02-18T19:22:02Z")
With the right bedmate it might be only as needed to eat & poop, so briefly maybe once every 3 days? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/12 "2024-02-18T19:31:11Z")
When either **[rigor mortis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigor_mortis)** or **[decomp](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/decomp)** starts setting in. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/13 "2024-02-18T19:58:44Z")
Longer than your bladder can manage to hold urine is too long. Longer than your dog’s bladder can manage to hold is also too long. Long enough for both your cat’s belly and their food dish to be empty is too long. Long enough for your muscles to atrophy and/or for (as has been mentioned) bedsores to set in would also be too long; but one or more of the first three is likely to happen first. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/14 "2024-02-18T20:31:58Z")
Treating bedsores can be a challenge. **But it can be done.** ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/15 "2024-02-18T20:51:43Z")
I think this thread has much in common with the one that discusses mind uploading. The annoying problems of eating, peeing, and pooping go away once you upload your entire being into a silicon chip. Then the silicon chip – with the appropriate sensors for appreciating the nice warm bed – can stay there forever. Of course, a philosophical debate may be had about how this is different than death. It’s possible that this thread about lying around in bed may have morphed into unintended and perhaps rather morbid directions. 😲 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/16 "2024-02-18T20:55:52Z")
Yeah. Nothing good about a Chip Shit. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/17 "2024-02-18T21:27:24Z")
BRAIN: Sometimes I wonder why I even bother getting up in the morning. PINKY: To…avoid bedsores? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/18 "2024-02-19T01:41:22Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Personal best guess is it involves a teenager in some way, and also that the word “lazy” and possibly the phrase “good for nuthin’!” came up. If that’s the case, it’s a shame, as teenagers need more sleep (says the guy who got shit for sleeping in as a kid: “he awoke at the crack of noon” my mon used to say) > **[Teen brains need more sleep: Why they struggle to get out of bed](https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/teen-brains-need-more-sleep-why-they-struggle-to-get-out-of-bed-20230209-p5cj60.html)** > > The lazy teenager stereotypes don’t hold up once you understand their brains are developing at an incredible rate and they need more sleep. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I kinda live in my bed. You’re in good company. > [@](#): > > Winston Churchill had a habit of breakfasting in bed and remaining there – sometimes until as late as 1pm – with a secretary and typewriter near his bedside, according to rare papers and insights revealed for the first time by the Imperial War Museums. > **[Winston Churchill's eccentric working habits revealed in rare papers](https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/12/winston-churchills-eccentric-working-habits-revealed-in-rare-papers)** > > Secretaries working for ex-PM recall a ‘very caring person’ in memorabilia released to mark the UK release of Darkest Hour ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/19 "2024-02-19T02:07:03Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > “he awoke at the crack of noon” my mon used to say Much like Major Major Major Major’s father: > On long winter evenings he remained indoors and did not mend harness, and he sprang out of bed at the crack of noon every day just to make certain that the chores would not be done. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733/20 "2024-02-19T03:41:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > as needed to eat & poop, so briefly maybe once every 3 days? I don’t eat a whole lot, but … even my scrawny ass would starve on those rations. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-to-stay-in-bed/997733.md?page=2)