Bed Rotting: Is It Good or Bad for Mental Health?

In a society that promotes productivity, sitting back and doing nothing is uncommon —or at least this was how it was traditionally. However, now things are changing.

A trend on social media (TikTok) called ” bed rotting” makes Gen Z do nothing all day. It is a practice of spending long hours on the covers with food, phones, and other comfort items.

LIFE CAN BE stressful; looking for new ways to revitalize your batteries is vital to surviving difficult times. However, if this practice is making you dull and unproductive, then what can be done? How to identify the side effects of it?

In the name of self-care and to manage stress and increase energy, people these days are staying in bed doing nothing. Some consider it helpful, but mental healthcare professionals say it can have beneficial and harmful effects. Here we discuss them in detail and the safest way to do it.

If you’ve ever spent the entire day in bed to re-energize mental power, you’ve participated in TikTok’s new form of self-care called “bed rotting.”

What is Bed Rotting?

Bed rotting, in simple words, is the practice of spending all day in bed, either by scrolling through social media, playing games on a phone or computer, or binging on a favorite show throughout a season (or two).

You’re guilty of bed rotting as long as you remain seated in your bed for a full day (except for bathroom breaks and food).

Can Bed Rotting be Beneficial?

Again, there is no definitive answer to this. If these long rest periods are causing more problems in your daily tasks than actually restoring your energy to address them, then probably not.

Bed rotting or being in bed for excessive and extended periods can help mitigate the body’s stress and fatigue. Especially for those who have a long commute or hard jobs, this practice helps them recharge their batteries without feeling guilty.

Also, the healthiness of your bed rot is dependent on the circumstances around you. You will have more power if your week is dominated by productive sleep. Alternatively, if you require a few hours after work to replenish your social energy before eating with friends, that’s also acceptable. But if practiced continuously can negatively affect one’s mental health. Here are the adverse effects of bed rotting.

Side effects of bed rotting:

Taking care of yourself and relaxing certainly helps relieve stress and anxiety. Still, if you stay in bed regularly for longer, you might struggle with depression or other mental health issues. Therefore, one must ensure bed rotting doesn’t become a regular practice.

Also, spending too much time in bed means less social life and decreased productivity. It also means disrupting sleep patterns. Here we discuss all the adverse effects in detail.

1.The risk of getting depressed increases

Sleeping excessively, without interaction or significant activity, can lead to feelings of solitude and sadness, thereby increasing the risk of depression. Experts agree that when a person stays in bed for too long, their connection with the outside world is broken, leaving them feeling lonely, thereby increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. Also, the person starts losing interest in hobbies as they always feel tired. Moreover, there might be feelings of guilt due to staying in bed. All these are the signs of depression.

2.You feel stressed and anxious

Regularly visiting social media can develop unrealistic comparisons and negative emotions, making one anxious and stressed. Additionally, you can start being self-critical as you might feel obligated to achieve specific standards, and failing to do so might also contribute to negative emotions.

Not only do things when under the sheets, you will end up delaying everything, which means once you move out, you will have to finish it. This will stress you out and negatively affect your mental well-being.

3.No or less productivity and enthusiasm

Lying on the bed without doing anything leads to a sedentary behavior where one feels like they have no purpose and feels demotivated. Also, it decreases motivation for accomplishing tasks or achieving goals.

When in bed, you might feel relaxed, but when you look at the calendar and find out the amount of time you have wasted, instead of getting the urge to finish things, you might feel lazy and procrastinate.

4.Sleep quality

When enough time is spent in bed, the natural sleep-wake schedule is disturbed, increasing the difficulty of falling asleep at night. Also, you can have sleep patterns that are not on a schedule and might suffer from insomnia.

Moreover, when you spend the most time in bed, the association of bed with sleep will diminish. This means even in bed, you might not feel sleepy and might feel like watching TV, eating, or drinking rather than relaxing and sleeping.

5.Low self-esteem

At one-point, social media might make you feel good, but when you stay on it for long, you might feel you are not good enough. When you watch only specific people or reels, you might start negatively comparing yourself, leading to depression and a lack of well-being, all detrimental to mental health.

6.Weak muscles

When you rot in bed for days, there is a lack of physical activity, which means the muscles will start to weaken. Even daily tasks will seem challenging as you won’t have the energy, and there will be pains and aches. You may also suffer from back, neck, frozen shoulder, and other problems.

How to Break Cycle of Bed Rotting:

Taking some time out from the busy schedule is good for mental well-being and is one of the healthy ways to take care of self. Therefore, when you think of relaxing in bed, ensure you don’t stay there too long, thinking it will help you escape the thoughts you don’t like. Instead, you can mix the following practices to care for yourself and your mental health.

• Set a time limit for the time spent on social media.
• Go for walks to spend some time with nature.
• Do some journaling.
• Do meditation and perform yoga.
• Spend time with your loved ones, family and friends.

How To ‘Bed Rot’ in a Safe Way

If you are interested in bed rotting, making it as healthy and safe as possible is crucial. You can spend your free time on activities; however, setting time limits can prevent you from sleeping too long.

It’s crucial to recognize that while bed rotting may provide temporary relief, it should not be a consistent pattern of use or daily habit, and it should not be the first line of treatment for fatigue, lethargy, or depression.

While bed rotting can serve as a break from the modern world, it’s crucial to approach it with a mindful and intended approach. If this behavior becomes habitual or if you notice signs of depression, it’s essential to seek professional assistance.