Is The Popular Trend Of ‘Bed Rotting’ Good Or Bad For Mental Health?

Unless you live under a rock, you must have heard about the trend of bed rotting. It is believed to be more common among the GenZs. So, what exactly is bed rotting? It is when someone spends hours in bed during the daytime. They don’t do these because they are sick or sad. Instead, they do this because they need a break. They might just relax in bed all day – snacking, scrolling on the phone, or binge-watching a series. But is this term good or bad for mental health? Today, we will answer this for you.

To get an expert view on this, we reached out to Mr S Giriprasad, Psychologist, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru. Read ahead.

Is Bed Rotting Harmful For Your Mental Health?

Let us get straight to the point – is bed rotting good or bad for your mental health? But before answering this, Mr Giriprasad explains what this act is actually about. He shares, “Bed rotting is the act of spending many hours resting in bed – browsing your phone, watching TV, or simply doing nothing productive, all outside of sleeping, of course.”

Shedding light on its mental health aspect, he explains, “While engaging in this behavior occasionally may be considered comfortable, when practiced on a constant basis, it could be detrimental to your state of mind. Not only does inactivity decrease light and activity, which are both crucial for maintaining proper mood, but it may also contribute to feelings of low motivation, loneliness, and emotional numbness, instead of being an aid in dealing with stress in a productive way.”

Also Read: Is The ‘Micro-retirement’ Career Trend GenZs Fix For Burnout?

Are There Any Benefits Of Bed Rotting?

On this note, Mr Giriprasad shares the benefits of bed rotting:

• Occasional incidents of bed rotting, most likely after a physically or emotionally draining day, might be a good relief.
• It helps the nervous system slow down and the brain get a rest from the many stimulations it has been receiving.
• For those who are overworked, a short break might be a good way to avoid burnout. But the relief would be temporary and would not be present if the behavior is replacing daily activity.

Is Bed Rotting Linked To Depression?

Many people wonder whether bed rotting is in any way linked to conditions like depression or insomnia. Speaking on this, Mr Giriprasad says, “Absolutely, there is a very strong link there. Individuals who are suffering from low mood or depression will often go to their bed because it is a safe place where they have to do very little. However, staying in one place for too long will ensure that depression is exacerbated by lack of sleep and physical activity, while also perpetuating negative thought patterns. As a result, the association between rest and the bed will begin to alter.”

What about the side effect of bed rotting on sleep? “Yes, it definitely impacts the quality of sleep. When an individual spends an excessive amount of time not sleeping in bed, it confuses the brain’s connection between the bed and the actual sleeping process. This leads to difficulty falling asleep at night, restlessness, and exacerbation of insomnia. Gradually, the brain stops correlating the bed with sleeping and associates it with either boredom, worries, or shutting down, thereby disrupting the sleep process.”

How To ‘Bed Rot’ In A Safe Way?

If you are in the mood to bed rot, then it is possible to do it in a safe way. Our expert explains how. “There should be a specific time limit to bed rotting, such as 30 to 60 minutes. One should stay in bed without meandering about, and engage in non-stimulating activities such as listening to a podcast, and not endlessly scroll through one's phone. When one decides to take a break from bed rotting, one should get up, open one's curtains, drink water, and move one's body in order to prevent slipping into withdrawal,” explains Mr Giriprasad.

If you want to avoid bed rotting and are looking for alternative ways to relax, the expert suggests the following ways:

• Go for a brief walk with sunlight exposure.
• Try relaxation with music.
• Try light stretching.
• Engage in journaling.
• Try breathing exercises.
• Take a warm shower.

“More effective alternatives involve those that provide mental relaxation with gentle physical engagement. These actions restore energy without perpetuating a passive or socially withdrawn lifestyle, a factor also related to depression,” concludes Mr Giriprasad.

Also Read: Study Shows Hybrid Work Mode Boosts Women’s Mental Health – Expert Decodes

The Final Word

Bed rotting is a popular trend among the youth. It involves staying in bed for long periods without engaging in any productive activity. While engaging in this behavior occasionally may be considered comfortable, when practiced on a constant basis, it could be detrimental to your state of mind. Not only does inactivity decrease light and activity, but it may also contribute to feelings of low motivation, loneliness, and emotional numbness.