Bed rotting
 | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (August 2025) |
Bed rotting is the practice of voluntarily spending many hours a day in bed whilst awake. This term has gained popularity among Generation Z on Tiktok.[1] It has been linked to self-care practices, but also to depression and anxiety.[2]
Etymology
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Bed rotting involves spending time on devices, such as a phone, laptop, video game console, or television, or reading a book while in bed.[3][4] While some people use it as a way to recover mental health and combat burnout, bed rotting can intensify from a way to rest to a serious issue, which can lead to avoidance of going outside, socializing, or responsibilities.[5] Bed rotting has, in some cases, been linked to poor hygiene, depression and anxiety.[6]
The trend has gained traction on social media, where users share their "bed rotting" experiences. Platforms like TikTok have popularized this behavior with a 2024 survey showing that nearly a quarter of Generation Z surveyed reported staying in bed for a day or more to relax or use devices.[7] The term was added to Dictionary.com in 2024, along with more than 1,700 new or updated definitions, following growing visibility of the practice on social media. It was defined 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".[8]
Analysis
[edit]Some publishers have interpreted this as a reaction to stress and or anxiety.[9][10][11] Lifehacker has described bed rotting as "an aspect of JOMO".[12] They also say that "while bed rotting can benefit some people in the short-term, it can become concerning if it lasts for more than one or two days".[2]
It has been linked to similar trends such as doomscrolling,[13] a practice in which a user may spend extended periods of time-consuming short form content or news.
See also
[edit]- Bed rest – Medical treatment involving resting in bed
- Clinophilia – Sleep disorder
- Couch potato – Person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a couch
- Doomscrolling – Compulsive consumption of negative online news
- Tang ping
- Hikikomori
References
[edit]- ^ Hui-Anderson, Alyssa (February 1, 2026). "What Is Bed Rotting?". Health. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Hui-Anderson, Alyssa. Scott, Sarah (ed.). "What Is Bed Rotting?". www.health.com.
- ^ Marples, Megan (2023-07-08). "Bed rotting: TikTok's latest trend reveals the toxic side of self-care". CNN. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Nygaard, Auna. "Bed Rotting Trend & Mental Health". Sandstone Care. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ Hollingshead, Nicole (April 16, 2024). "Are 'hurkle-durkling' and 'bed-rotting' self-care strategies, or mental health warning signs?". health.osu.edu. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
- ^ Musto, Julia (13 January 2026). "Experts warn of the health consequences of 'bed rotting'". The Independent. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ Celmer, Lynn (2024-08-21). "'Bed rotting' tops TikTok trends". American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
- ^ "Barbiecore? Bed rotting? Greedflation? Dictionary.com adds new 2024 words". Spokesman. 2024-02-13.
- ^ Glover, Amy (June 9, 2023). "What Is The 'Bed Rotting' Trend And Why Is It Not As Lazy As It Sounds?". HuffPost UK.
- ^ Bregel, Sarah (2023-05-31). "'Bed rotting' doesn't mean Gen Z is lazy, but is it really self-care?". Fast Company.
- ^ Lee, Bruce Y. (July 8, 2023). "'Bed Rotting': What Is This New TikTok Generation Z Self-Care Trend". Forbes.
- ^ Johnson, Stephen (June 2, 2023). "The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: What is 'Bed Rotting'?". Lifehacker.
- ^ Brenner, Brad (May 14, 2025). "Bed Rotting: Trend or Trouble? Understanding the Viral Self‑Care Craze and Its Impact on Mental Health". Therapy Group of DC. Retrieved 2026-02-21.