TikTok is a bottomless pit of trending content of all kinds. Whether it's the resurgence of old patterns or the rise of new Gen Z-promoted ideologies to the top, all of them have found a safe place to spread on the internet. While not a new concept, the latest addition to this trend circle is Hurkle-durkling.
Internet-friendly habits come from an old Scottish word meaning “lying down or relaxing in bed at a time when you should be awake.” So does every moment we spend lounging in bed have something to do with us spending time on the Harkle Darkle trend? Not exactly.
What is Harkle Darkling?
Apart from the traditional aforementioned definition, this TikTok trend draws its inaction from another popular concept: bed rot. Rotting in bed, when practiced to a certain extent, is seen as a rebellion against an orthodoxly scheduled life centered around the pursuit of productivity.
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So, abandoning the strict norms of hustle culture, Harkle Darkling has regained momentum as a quirky yet beneficial trend. The popular word came to light after American actor Kira Kosarin introduced it as the word of the day on TikTok with the caption, “Harkul Darkul, you deserve it.”
Harkle Darkling Advantages and Disadvantages
Excessive amounts are bound to backfire on the initial positive effects. Loosening your grip on the steering wheel is a difficult task in itself and must be done consciously, but letting the steering wheel take over can be just as harmful. Psychiatric experts have also embraced this long-awaited trend, but not without being wary of warning signs.
Advantages of Harkle Darkling
Marisha Mathis, a certified clinical social worker at ThriveWorks in Raleigh, advised adopting this trend, HuffPost reported. She says, “Sometimes prioritizing rest and starting your day slowly is the best way to optimize your time and mental health.”
She says it's a healthy way to utilize self-care because it allows you to just be present and “get the rest you need, move at a more gentle pace, and reset to properly face your morning.” I admitted.
If you do it with a sense of balance and sometimes with intention, it could be the therapy you've been needing all along. “I don't agree with the idea that you should punish yourself for needing an extra 5 to 10 minutes in the morning, because that just adds to the stress of the day,'' says Psychiatry. said Associate Professor Dr. Jessica Gold. University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.
She also advises to “set boundaries, such as time limits and no interruptions, and have fun.” But experts also remind us to keep balance in mind. “Make sure you're not using Harkle Darkle to avoid tasks, conversations, or processes that require your attention,” Mathis added.
Harkle Darkling Cons
A coin toss also reveals some of the downsides of viral trends.
“If the irritation goes beyond just a moment in the morning and continues throughout the day, or if it becomes a regular occurrence that pulls you away from your responsibilities or creates isolation from friends and family, it could be a red flag,” says Dr. Mathis. ” he admits. If this happens, it may also be a symptom of another serious problem, such as depression.
After all, a person should not hide behind catchy and quirky phrases in order to avoid reality or get out of bed. It's equally important to pay attention to what your body is telling you when you don't want to get out of bed. Another common habit that people usually do while in bed is scrolling through the content on their phone. Dr. Gold cautions against mindlessly scrolling through videos to avoid your body's signals about your mental health.
