Somehow, sleeping has become a guilty pleasure. Even though sleep is one of our fundamental biological needs and a great way to relax, we have created a culture that’s obsessed with productivity—one where staying in bed all day or even taking a nap is seen as an indulgent luxury.

Yet, there are some undeniable statistics about the benefits of relaxing and getting those extra Zzz’s. For one, napping for a mere 60 minutes can improve your alertness for up to 10 hours. 

Moreover, most mammals sleep for short periods throughout the day, rather than a consolidated, extra-long period of sleep like humans engage in. That three-o’clock tiredness isn’t a result of your boredom; it’s the way we’re programmed as mammals! (This might explain why top dogs like Nike and Google have scattered napping rooms and pods throughout their offices!) 

So, next time you want to fight the urge to close your eyes, just relax! There is nothing wrong with relaxing. We’ve all had those days when your cozy, organic bedding is snuggled around you just right and you can’t bring yourself to get out of bed — and that’s perfectly okay! 

If you find yourself with a little extra time to sleep in and enjoy your bed during the holidays, you can actually experience several interesting benefits for your well-being by staying in bed all day, such as:

Functioning better

This may seem obvious, but spending the day in bed might be just what the doctor ordered if you’ve been a bit unhealthy or stressed lately. Getting enough sleep is a great way to recharge, both physically and mentally. And no “one size fits all” when it comes to how much rest you need. If you can sleep in until noon or feel like napping away the afternoon, it’s probably because your body needs it. Listen to your body, and after you’ve relaxed, you’ll have renewed energy and function a lot better.

Managing holiday stress

Whether it be all that chaotic shopping or preparing your house for your in-laws, the holidays are filled with plenty of activities and responsibilities that can easily cause you stress. Spending the day in bed can be the perfect antidote to holiday stressors, as you can focus on what’s really important and just relax. As you make plans to conquer your to-do list, prioritize your loved ones, don’t procrastinate, and say no to that bake sale!  

Enriching your emotional intelligence

Should you really watch another episode (even though you’ve almost binged the whole series!?) The answer is a resounding “yes.” In a recent psychology study, staying in bed and binge-watching high-quality, TV dramas were shown to increase emotional intelligence and make the viewers more empathetic. That’s right — being a couch potato may not be such a bad thing! So long as the series you’re watching showcases human emotion, you may be made better by your bingeing in bed.