Spending hours of the day in bed might sound like heaven but at a certain point, your cosy cocoon can become a cause for concern
Have you heard of ‘bed-rotting’?
It’s a trend that became popular last year – particularly among Gen-Z – that involves lounging in bed for hours at a time, not to sleep, but to engage in passive activities like watching TV, snacking or scrolling social media.
Before long, it had racked up hundreds of millions of views on TikTok as people shared their ‘bed-rotting’ methods and it was quickly hailed as a great way to cope with burn-out or the demands of school, family or work stress.
But is lying in bed for hours really a form of self-care? We take a look at the pros and cons of the popular ritual.
Benefits:
Focusing on rest
It’s never a bad thing to prioritise rest. As a society, we put so much stock on constantly being busy and being ‘wrecked’ is almost worn like a badge of honour. Taking time to recharge your batteries and press pause on your daily routine is definitely a positive thing to do from time to time.
Switching off from outside pressure
The stress of everyday life can creep up without you realising it. If you’re adding three things to your ‘To-Do List’ every day and barely getting one thing ticked off, it won’t be long before you start feeling overwhelmed. Consciously unplugging from the constant ding of smartphone notifications can provide a welcome respite for your addled brain and indulging in some comfort watching of your favourite series can be balm for your soul.
Doing nothing
How often do you take the time to just do nothing? If you want to get the most out of ‘bed-rotting’, once you’ve finished your fun, passive activities of scrolling or binge-watching a series, take a few minutes to simply lie there and see how you feel. No screens, no music, no activity, just you and your breath and your thoughts. You might be surprised by what comes up and with any luck, it will leave you feeling energised and in a better head space for the days and weeks ahead.
Downsides:
The impact on your sleep
If you’re out like a light as soon as your head hits the pillow, congratulations, may you ‘bed-rot’ in good health! However, if you’re someone who has trouble sleeping or if you notice that your sleep changes after you spend a day or weekend in bed, it’s time to take notice. Your bedroom is for sleep and intimacy and when you use it for other activities like eating and watching TV, this can confuse your system and lead to problems getting good rest later at night.
Avoidance
‘Bed-rotting’ is a form of self-care when done sporadically and for short periods of time. However, if hours become days and days become weekends spent hibernating in your bedroom, it could be a sign that your mental health is suffering.
It may be the exact opposite of what you want to do but if you’re using the trend as a way to avoid or run from your problems rather than as a means to reset before tackling them, it’s time to ask yourself why.
Less time spent with friends and family
‘Bed-rotting’ is an introvert’s dream situation but it can very easily become an unhealthy coping mechanism for people who want to get out of certain conversations or social obligations.
And while it’s always advisable to go with your gut when it comes socialising or saying yes to events, it’s also important to be aware of when you start favouring the seclusion of your bedroom over the real world connections with the people who care about you.
Compromise:
Experts suggest that a good compromise is to choose a place outside the bedroom to do these activities – couch-rotting, perhaps? This way your body will associate your bed with sleep rather than a place to watch TV or doomscroll and you will hopefully have less trouble falling asleep at night.
Another way to improve on this wellness trend is to incorporate more mindful activities like journaling, meditation, reading or knitting, all of which are relaxing but will ultimately make you feel better.
When done with intention and the purpose of recharging, bed-rotting can provide a welcome escape from the pressures of everyday life but if it starts to become a crutch or you find yourself spending longer and longer in bed each time, it’s a good idea to ask for help.
