What is Bed Rotting?

What is Bed Rotting?

Bed rotting refers to deliberately staying in bed for hours or even days, engaging in low-effort activities like watching TV, reading, or scrolling on a smartphone, as a way to retreat from life’s demands. Dictionary.com defines it as “the practice of spending many hours in bed during the day, often with snacks or an electronic device, as a voluntary retreat from activity or stress”¹.

Unlike resting to recover from illness, bed rotting is a conscious choice to disengage, often linked to burnout, anxiety and isolation, as experts on Health.com note².

While it can feel restorative in moderation, prolonged bed rotting risks isolation and worsening mental health, especially for teens.

Here’s a quick summary of bed rotting:

How Does Bed Rotting Show Up?

Bed rotting manifests as spending excessive time in bed beyond sleep, often involving endless social media scrolling, binge-watching shows, or snacking. It’s marked by avoiding responsibilities—school, work, or social plans—and withdrawing from friends or family, as noted by psychologists on Charlie Health³.

On X, some teens describe it as a cozy way to “recharge,” while others admit it feels like being “trapped” in low motivation, hinting at depressive symptoms⁴. This behavior differs from intentional rest, often bringing feelings of guilt or stagnation, per TIME’s exploration of the trend⁵.

Is Bed Rotting a Trauma Response?

Bed rotting can sometimes function as a trauma response, particularly when it reflects a “freeze” state in the body’s stress response system, where individuals shut down to avoid overwhelming emotions or situations. Charlie Health explains that chronic stress or trauma, such as from academic pressure or personal challenges, can drive people to seek safety in bed³.

SAMHSA’s research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) suggests that prolonged stress can manifest as withdrawal behaviors, which bed rotting may mimic, especially in teens with unprocessed trauma⁶.

Causes of Bed Rotting

Bed rotting often stems from burnout, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed by modern life’s demands, such as school, social pressures, or financial stress, as Health.com reports². Neurologically, it may be linked to low dopamine or serotonin levels, reducing motivation, according to NIH research on emotional regulation⁷. Social media culture, particularly on TikTok, normalizes bed rotting as self-care, while X posts show users embracing it to cope with overstimulation or mental fatigue⁴. For some, it’s a response to trauma or a lack of emotional safety, pushing them to retreat into a controlled environment like bed.

Why Are Teens Bed Rotting?

Teens are particularly drawn to bed rotting due to its prominence as a social media trend, with TikTok videos glorifying it as a rebellious form of self-care against societal pressure to “hustle,” as TIME notes⁵. Academic stress, social anxiety, and the constant connectivity of digital life leave many teens feeling overwhelmed, making bed a safe haven, per Charlie Health³. Social media posts reveal teens using bed rotting to escape expectations, with some calling it “mental health days,” though others describe it spiraling into days of isolation⁴.

This trend can be negative, as prolonged bed rotting risks exacerbating depression, reducing motivation, and disrupting sleep patterns, which can harm developing brains, according to NIH studies⁷.

For teens, the allure of disengaging can mask deeper issues like anxiety or low self-esteem, making it a concerning habit when unchecked.

Bed Rotting and Mental Health

While occasional bed rotting can feel like a mental reset, excessive use can mirror symptoms of depression or anxiety, such as low energy, social isolation, or avoidance, as Psychology Today warns⁸. It risks creating a cycle where guilt over neglected responsibilities worsens mood, per Charlie Health³.

In relationships, bed rotting can strain connections by limiting social engagement, leaving loved ones feeling shut out.

The American College of Sports Medicine notes that prolonged inactivity can also harm physical health, increasing fatigue and stress, particularly for teens⁹.

Managing Bed Rotting

Managing bed rotting involves balancing its benefits as rest with its risks as avoidance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help address underlying anxiety or depression driving the behavior, reframing bed as a place for rest rather than escape, as Psychology Today suggests⁸.

Trauma-informed therapy, like EMDR, can process emotional roots of withdrawal, per Statpearls¹⁰.

Practical steps include setting time limits for bed-based activities, incorporating small tasks like stretching, or scheduling social interactions to stay connected.

Mindfulness practices, like journaling, can boost motivation, while NIH notes medication may help for those with clinical depression⁷.

Healing and Moving Forward

Shifting from excessive bed rotting to healthy rest starts with recognizing when it’s becoming avoidance, a step Charlie Health emphasizes³.

Small actionslike getting out of bed for a short walk or calling a friend build momentum. Self-care practices, such as exercise or hobbies, reduce stress and enhance mood, as the American College of Sports Medicine highlights⁹.

Therapy or support groups provide a safe space to address underlying issues, helping teens and others find balance between rest and engagement without guilt or isolation.

Conclusion

Bed rotting, especially among teens, offers a tempting escape from the pressures of modern life, fueled by social media’s celebration of downtime. Yet, when it becomes a habit, it risks deepening isolation and mental health struggles. By understanding its causes, particularly for teens and using tools like therapy, mindfulness, and structured self-care, individuals can enjoy rest without losing connection or momentum.