Duermís

Duermís is a term used in Spanish-language speculative fiction and online communities to describe a coordinated, symbolic practice of sleep intended to promote well-being and mitigate digital overload. It functions as both a rhetorical concept and a social ritual within certain fictional settings and discussion spaces.

Origin and etymology: The word is a neologism formed from the verb dormir with a stylized second-person plural suffix -ís, reflecting an imagined dialect in the setting where the term appears. This construction signals collective action and intimacy, distinguishing duermís from ordinary talk about sleep.

Usage and practices: In fiction and discussions, duermís involves designated sleep windows, rituals of winding down, and social prompts to log sleep times or share bedtime reflections. Practices vary, but common elements include limiting late-night screen use, creating a calm sleeping environment, and treating rest as a communal responsibility rather than an individual duty.

Cultural context and reception: The concept has been used to explore themes such as burnout, community care, and the politics of attention in digital cultures. Critics note that it can risk sentimentalizing sleep, while proponents view it as a useful framework for prioritizing rest and mental health in an overstimulated world.

See also: Sleep hygiene; digital wellbeing; rest culture.