If you’ve spent any time on social media in the past year, you’ve likely heard of bed rotting. It means exactly what it sounds like — lying in bed and doing nothing, regardless of the time of day. Perhaps you’re binge-watching the new season of Severance, or you’re scrolling endlessly through TikTok.
Bed rotting can be practiced on a scale. For some, it can feel essential for decompressing after a long day. For others, they may feel like they’re chained to the confines of their bedroom because of underlying depression or sadness. But is there a way to do it safely and healthily? We investigated to find out.
What exactly is bed rotting?
When you Google “bed rotting,” a bunch of images of sad, stressed-looking people come up. They’re all on their phones and under the safety of their blankets and sheets. This isn’t what bed rotting looks like for everyone — like we said, it can exist on a spectrum and really depends on what a person feels like doing in the moment. The main commonality is that it’s a passive activity. That means no chores, responsibilities, work, or school.
Some people bed rot for days on end, while others come home from work, get into sweats, and ‘rot’ for the rest of the day.
Is bed rotting bad for you?
Well, it depends on who you ask.
When done in excess, bed rotting can definitely be concerning. This is especially true when it’s the only thing a person is doing and is neglecting their daily responsibilities or hygiene. In this context, bed rotting may be a symptom of a deeper mental health condition, like depression or bipolar disorder. This is when it’s most important to identify if your rotting has gone from a restful activity to something deeper.
However, bed rotting can also be a healthy activity for some, especially introverts or those with chronic conditions or pain. Turning your brain off by watching TV or playing games on your phone can be a social battery recharge. Or, if you need a mental health day, bed rotting can be a helpful way to prioritize things that refill your cup — think anything from catching on sleep to knitting, all from the comfort of your bed.
How to bed rot safely
Our take? Bed rotting is definitely okay to do, if not essential for some. But there are precautions to take to ensure you’re doing it as safely and healthily as possible. Here are our tips:
- Try to keep track of how much time you’re bed rotting: You can reserve bed rotting for evenings or nights only, or, if you find yourself drawn to your bed multiple times a day, keep track of how many hours you do it for. Set a daily or weekly limit for yourself. If you don’t think this is something you can keep up with, ask a trusted loved one — a friend, parent, partner, or roommate, maybe — to keep you accountable.
- Talk to your therapist: We know everyone’s situation is different, so the best way to know if you’re bed rotting in excess is to talk to a mental health professional. They know your situation just as well as you do, and they may be able to recommend more personalized suggestions.
- Bring healthy habits to the rot: Bed rotting doesn’t have to be just for unproductive activities. You can also engage in healthy habits from bed, especially community-based ones: You can call a friend to talk, snuggle with your pet, or even schedule some quality bed rotting time with a loved one, like your partner or roommate. It doesn’t have to be an isolating activity.
Takeaway
Bed rotting can be unhealthy, but there are ways to practice it without being alone or doing it too much. We recommend taking a look at your rotting habits and chatting with a mental health professional to make sure you’re doing it as safely and healthily as you can.
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