The viral trend of sleeping in bed with potatoes has people settling in for their best night’s rest
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Wrapping yourself up like a roasted jacket potato is the newest way to get a good night’s sleep.
A TikTok trend called “potato bed” has gone viral as a comfortable way to rearrange your sheets and pillows so you can be surrounded and snuggled up.
The first step is to place a fitted sheet face down and fill the perimeter with pillows and thick blankets.
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Once there is a solid base of fluffy walls, the center of the nest is filled with blankets, comforters, and any other objects for comfort.
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TikTok creators have been trying out the trend themselves. A user named Alice (@alicekateea) wrote in the caption of her video that she “slept better than ever.”
TikTok creator @rubyyy.eg shares a tutorial on how to make a potato bed. (Tik Tok @rubyy.
“So just an adult-sized baby nest?” commented one user. “No wonder you slept well!”
Another user wrote: “I’m already a couch potato, now I’ll be a bed addict too.”
In an interview with News Digital, Dr. William Lu, medical director of Dreem Health, said the potato bed is a “fun and cozy take” on the concept of “cocooning,” or creating a nest-like sleeping environment.
“It’s really about recreating that feeling of comfort and security that we associate with deep rest.”
“I’m not surprised it’s becoming fashionable,” said the California-based expert. “People crave comfort, calm, and security right now, and potato bed takes advantage of that. While it sounds fun, it’s really about recreating that comfortable, secure feeling we associate with deep rest.”
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The feeling of being “gently surrounded by pillows and blankets” can mimic the effects of a weighted blanket or a hug, according to the sleep expert.
“That light, even pressure can help reduce stress hormones like cortisol while also increasing serotonin and oxytocin, chemicals that make you feel relaxed and sleepy,” Lu said.
“When your body feels safe and your mind feels safe, it’s easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.”
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Lu cautioned that too much heat can disrupt sleep, as the best sleep occurs when core body temperature drops slightly. Piling on too many layers can “trap heat,” making it difficult for the body to cool down, he noted.
“Also, if you surround yourself with soft pillows, you may lose proper spinal alignment,” Lu added. “Over time, that can lead to neck or back pain. If you wake up feeling sore or sweaty, that’s your cue to reduce it.”
Using too many heavy, warm blankets can lead to fragmented sleep, one expert has warned. (iStock)
Lu recommended thinking of the potato bed as a “cozy relaxation ritual” rather than a permanent place to sleep.
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Building a bed of potatoes for a short nap, a rest before bed or a warm respite during the colder months are the best options, he said.
The sleep expert also suggested keeping a light comforter and fewer layers to ensure the main mattress and pillow still provide enough support.
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“The goal is not to bury yourself in fluff, but to create a comfortable, relaxing space that helps the body and mind relax before sleep,” she said.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.