New Self-Care Trend: Bed Rotting



Experts agree that it’s important to indulge in self-care to manage stress and boost energy, but is lounging in bed all day the healthiest way to do it? According to social media users, yes. A booming new trend sweeping social media platforms involves staying in bed for extended periods of time — not to sleep, but to do passive activities like eat snacks, watch TV, and scroll through social media posts. The fad has been dubbed “bed rotting.” This trend is most popular with members of Generation Z, who may feel burnt out from work, school, family demands, social engagements, or just being an adult. So, what do healthcare authorities say about the new trend? According to psychologists, bed rotting does have its benefits. In small doses, it can calm the body and help ease stress and exhaustion, especially for people who work long hours in a physically or mentally demanding role. However, the emphasis is on “short-term.” If your bed rotting episode lasts more than one or two days, it could be a sign of depression or other mental health issues. It’s important to be mindful of this and not let bed rotting become a pattern of behavior. Spending too much time in bed limits the time that could be spent meaningfully connecting with friends or loved ones and could make you feel even more stressed. It’s usually best for people to use their bed and bedroom as a place for sleep. If people can train their brains to associate their bed solely with sleep, they won’t have as much trouble falling asleep at night. If you're interested in bed rotting it’s important to make it as healthy and safe as possible. This means spending your rest time doing proven feel-good activities such as reading, meditating, journaling, or gentle yoga rather than on other things that can ultimately bolster anxiety or dissatisfaction. Set a timer and limit your time bed rotting. If it begins to take over your life, it’s time to seek professional help.