What Is The Meaning Of Bed Rotting, And Is It Actually Good For You?
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Celeste MacMurray. Find her on Instagram at @clsmsanchezx. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The term “bed rotting” is something you’ve probably seen trending across social media platforms or even mentioned on local news programs. You may be confused about it is, but also about whether or not it’s a good thing. The Internet seems to be divided on the topic, because while some love the idea of bed rotting, others are ringing alarm bells as to why they dislike it. There are two sides to this discussion, so let’s do our best to understand both.
So what is the bed rotting meaning, exactly? Bed rotting is described simply as the act of laying in bed while doing absolutely nothing. Whether this includes staring at the ceiling, sleeping, binge watching shows or even browsing social media, the goal is to just do nothing at all. It’s supposed to be a time for you to sit with yourself in your idleness without worrying about anything outside your room as a means of self-care. You may have seen TikTok’s like these describing the phenomenon and how they personally like to bed rot.
Those in favor of bed rotting defend it by saying it’s an act of self care, but that it also combats the productivity mindset many are all too familiar with. Productivity is something that is emphasized within everyday life—we must always be on the move, always striving for some kind of achievement. We should stay on top of our chores, we should be pouring our all into our hobbies, or we should be learning new skills to eventually apply to school or a job.
With this constant bombardment of the need for productivity, it leaves little room for rest, but even more troublesome is the way it prevents people from resting properly. How many times have you tried to rest but started thinking of all the things you should have been doing? Or that you need to do? This thought pattern is actually very disruptive when it comes to rest, and it stops you from getting quality rest.
This is where the bed rotting meaning and purpose comes in, as it’s an attempt to rest without the worries of life hanging over your head. It pushes productivity, school or work out the window and leaves you to focus on yourself and your needs rather than whatever in your everyday life is pulling you in every direction.
While these principles of bed rotting don’t seem all that terrible, the problem only arises when the activity isn’t monitored. Many health professionals have taken to TikTok to post about why they disagree with the trend and the ways it can be detrimental to one’s health. Such as this one, for example.The common consensus they seem to share is that it can increase your risk for insomnia, and that bed rotting for too many days in a row could be more disadvantageous for your mental health than good. Some also mention that bed rotting could be harmful for people with a history of blood clots, DVT or diabetes.
In my opinion, I view the idea of bed rotting as a double-edged sword. Overall, I do see the good in the trend as it normalizes allowing our bodies to rest. In a society so focused on productivity and what we are capable of outputting, it’s good to take the time necessary to fully rest without worry. Rest is a necessity we often put off and belittle due to the constant go-go-go attitude we are all forced to shoulder. I think encouraging people to rest whenever they need to is a good thing, and we should completely discard the idea of “laziness,” too, while we’re at it. No one should be shamed for doing what is necessary for their body to recharge.
That being said, I can understand the reasons why people may disagree with the trend and are warning against it. I do think these critiques are valid as they remind people to prioritize their mental and physical health. They can also help us to understand how to bed rot in a way that is healthy for us in the long run and won’t cause any issues. Because of this I think the best way to navigate bed rotting is through balance. Bed rotting can be good for you when done in moderation, as we also need to make sure to care for ourselves properly in the meantime.
I don’t think staying in bed for a few hours to have your necessary rest is a bad thing, and I think it is something you should do if you feel you need it. If you need that sanctuary for a while, take it, but remember to not neglect other aspects of your health or your needs. Be sure to look after yourself as you bed rot by staying hydrated, taking bathroom breaks, not forgetting to eat, maintaining your hygiene and making sure to sleep at reasonable times.
What do you think of bed rotting? Do you think it does more harm than good, or do you love to bed rot yourself? Let us know what you think or what you believe to be the bed rotting meaning in the comments down below!