In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, the idea of taking a break and doing absolutely nothing can seem almost revolutionary. But what if you took it a step further and committed to staying in bed for 72 hours straight, doing nothing but sleeping? This challenge is not for the faint of heart and will test your willpower, patience, and ability to disconnect from the daily grind.
Here are the rules:
- No getting out of bed except for emergency bathroom breaks.
- No use of electronic devices, reading, or any other activity that might keep you awake.
- You can only drink water, and it must be consumed while lying down.
- The goal is to see if you can actually sleep for the majority of the 72 hours.
Ready to take on the ultimate relaxation challenge? Let’s dive in!
Preparation
Before you start the challenge, it’s essential to prepare. Make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach—water, a comfortable pillow, and a cozy blanket. Inform your friends and family about your challenge so they don’t worry when they don’t hear from you. Disconnect from social media and other electronic distractions.
Hour by Hour Breakdown
Hour 1-4: Settling In
The first few hours are all about getting comfortable and mentally preparing for the long haul. You might feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as you settle into your bed.
- Hour 1: Take a deep breath and let go of any stress. Close your eyes and try to relax your mind.
- Hour 2: Focus on your breathing. Practice deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
- Hour 3: You might start to feel a bit restless. Resist the urge to reach for your phone or a book.
- Hour 4: If you’re not asleep yet, try to focus on a calming thought or visualize a peaceful scene.
Hour 5-8: First Nap
By now, you should start feeling drowsy. Let your body take over and drift off to sleep.
- Hour 5: Hopefully, you’re starting to doze off. If not, don’t worry—relaxation is key.
- Hour 6: If you wake up, try not to check the time. Instead, close your eyes and try to fall back asleep.
- Hour 7: You might be in and out of sleep. That’s okay; the goal is to rest as much as possible.
- Hour 8: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
Hour 9-12: Midday Drowsiness
As you approach the halfway point of your first day, you might start to feel more comfortable with the idea of staying in bed.
- Hour 9: Use this time to meditate. Clear your mind of any lingering thoughts.
- Hour 10: You might feel a bit hungry, but remember, the challenge is to sleep and drink water only.
- Hour 11: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try progressive muscle relaxation. Tense and then relax each muscle group.
- Hour 12: This is a good time for another nap. Close your eyes and let yourself drift off.
Hour 13-16: Afternoon Slump
This period might be challenging as your body adjusts to doing nothing but resting.
- Hour 13: You might start to feel bored. Push through it by focusing on your breathing.
- Hour 14: Consider this a mental detox. Let your thoughts come and go without dwelling on them.
- Hour 15: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
- Hour 16: Try to visualize a relaxing place. This will help you fall asleep.
Hour 17-20: Evening Rest
As evening approaches, your body might naturally start to wind down.
- Hour 17: You might feel a bit stiff. Stretch gently while lying down.
- Hour 18: This is a good time to focus on relaxation techniques. Try a guided meditation in your mind.
- Hour 19: If you’re awake, take another bathroom break if needed, then get back into bed.
- Hour 20: Darkness can help you sleep. Close the curtains and turn off any lights.
Hour 21-24: First Night
Your first night in bed is crucial for getting a good amount of sleep.
- Hour 21: You might feel surprisingly alert. Resist the urge to get up.
- Hour 22: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to the sounds around you. Focus on the ambient noise.
- Hour 23: This is a good time to practice gratitude. Think about things you’re thankful for.
- Hour 24: Hopefully, you’re asleep. If not, just relax and let your body do its thing.
Hour 25-28: Early Morning
As you enter the second day, your body might start to adjust to the new routine.
- Hour 25: You might wake up feeling groggy. That’s normal. Close your eyes and rest.
- Hour 26: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
- Hour 27: Focus on your breathing. Deep breaths can help you relax.
- Hour 28: This is a good time for another nap. Let yourself drift off.
Hour 29-32: Morning Calm
The morning of your second day can be a great time for deep relaxation.
- Hour 29: You might feel rested. Use this time to meditate.
- Hour 30: If you’re awake, take another bathroom break if needed.
- Hour 31: Focus on positive thoughts. Clear your mind of any worries.
- Hour 32: Try to fall asleep again. The more rest, the better.
Hour 33-36: Midday Rest
As you approach the halfway point of your challenge, your body and mind might start to feel more at ease.
- Hour 33: You might feel bored. Push through it by focusing on relaxation.
- Hour 34: Use this time to practice mindfulness. Be present in the moment.
- Hour 35: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
- Hour 36: Try to visualize a peaceful place. This will help you fall asleep.
Hour 37-40: Afternoon Slump
The afternoon of your second day might be challenging as your body adjusts to the extended rest.
- Hour 37: You might feel restless. Stretch gently while lying down.
- Hour 38: Focus on your breathing. Deep breaths can help you relax.
- Hour 39: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try progressive muscle relaxation.
- Hour 40: This is a good time for another nap. Let yourself drift off.
Hour 41-44: Evening Rest
As evening approaches, your body might naturally start to wind down again.
- Hour 41: You might feel surprisingly alert. Resist the urge to get up.
- Hour 42: If you’re awake, take another bathroom break if needed.
- Hour 43: Focus on positive thoughts. Clear your mind of any worries.
- Hour 44: Try to fall asleep again. The more rest, the better.
Hour 45-48: Second Night
Your second night in bed is crucial for getting a good amount of sleep.
- Hour 45: You might feel a mix of restlessness and relaxation. Push through it.
- Hour 46: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to the sounds around you.
- Hour 47: This is a good time to practice gratitude. Think about things you’re thankful for.
- Hour 48: Hopefully, you’re asleep. If not, just relax and let your body do its thing.
Hour 49-52: Early Morning
As you enter the final day, your body might start to adjust to the new routine.
- Hour 49: You might wake up feeling groggy. That’s normal. Close your eyes and rest.
- Hour 50: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
- Hour 51: Focus on your breathing. Deep breaths can help you relax.
- Hour 52: This is a good time for another nap. Let yourself drift off.
Hour 53-56: Morning Calm
The morning of your final day can be a great time for deep relaxation.
- Hour 53: You might feel rested. Use this time to meditate.
- Hour 54: If you’re awake, take another bathroom break if needed.
- Hour 55: Focus on positive thoughts. Clear your mind of any worries.
- Hour 56: Try to fall asleep again. The more rest, the better.
Hour 57-60: Midday Rest
As you approach the final hours of your challenge, your body and mind might start to feel more at ease.
- Hour 57: You might feel bored. Push through it by focusing on relaxation.
- Hour 58: Use this time to practice mindfulness. Be present in the moment.
- Hour 59: If you’re awake, take a few sips of water and lie back down.
- Hour 60: Try to visualize a peaceful place. This will help you fall asleep.
Hour 61-64: Afternoon Slump
The afternoon of your final day might be challenging as your body adjusts to the extended rest.
- Hour 61: You might feel restless. Stretch gently while lying down.
- Hour 62: Focus on your breathing. Deep breaths can help you relax.
- Hour 63: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try progressive muscle relaxation.
- Hour 64: This is a good time for another nap. Let yourself drift off.
Hour 65-68: Evening Rest
As evening approaches, your body might naturally start to wind down for the last time in this challenge.
- Hour 65: You might feel surprisingly alert. Resist the urge to get up.
- Hour 66: If you’re awake, take another bathroom break if needed.
- Hour 67: Focus on positive thoughts. Clear your mind of any worries.
- Hour 68: Try to fall asleep again. The more rest, the better.
Hour 69-72: Final Hours
The final hours of your challenge are crucial for getting as much rest as possible.
- Hour 69: You might feel a mix of restlessness and relaxation. Push through it.
- Hour 70: If you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to the sounds around you.
- Hour 71: This is a good time to practice gratitude. Think about things you’re thankful for.
- Hour 72: Hopefully, you’re asleep. If not, just relax and let your body do its thing.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve completed the 72-hour challenge of staying in bed and doing nothing but sleeping. This experience has likely taught you a lot about your body’s need for rest and the importance of disconnecting from the daily grind. You might feel more relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle the world with a fresh perspective.
Remember, this challenge is not just about sleeping; it’s about giving yourself the time to rest and recharge. So next time you feel overwhelmed, consider taking a break and letting yourself truly rest. Your body and mind will thank you.
