Oct 15, 2025
So, you’ve probably heard of “bed rotting.”
It’s all over TikTok: the trend of spending hours, or even whole days, in bed. Not sleeping, but just… being. Scrolling, watching TV, basically marinating in your duvet as a form of self-care. As a therapist, my phone started buzzing with questions about it. And guess what? I ended up talking to a writer from WebMD about it, which was a pretty cool experience!
It got me thinking, though. When a mental health trend blows up like this, it’s never just black and white. Is bed rotting a genius way to recharge, or a one-way ticket to a funk? The answer, like most things in life, is a solid "it depends."
Let's start with the appeal. Imagine life is a movie on fast-forward, all chaos and noise. Sometimes, what you really need is to hit the pause button. From a mental health perspective, a short, intentional session of bed rotting can feel exactly like that—a total reset after a super stressful week. It’s a conscious choice to step away, and in small doses, that can feel really necessary.
But here’s the catch, and it’s a big one: there’s no scientific evidence that this actually recharges us long-term. Think of it like emotional junk food. A little bit is fine and even satisfying, but if it’s your main source of nutrition, you’re going to end up feeling pretty sluggish. True rest, the kind that actually rejuvenates us, usually involves a little movement, a spark of connection, or a moment of mindfulness—things you just don’t get from endless scrolling under the covers.
This is where we cross the line from reset button to red flag. The trouble starts when your cozy nest stops feeling like a retreat and starts feeling like a bunker. Bed rotting can easily become a way to numb out instead of processing life’s challenges. If it’s your only tool for dealing with stress, you never get to build your emotional muscles. It’s like skipping the gym for your feelings—when a real stressor hits, you’ll feel weaker.
I often explain to my clients that relying on any form of checking out can stunt your emotional growth. In my work, I’ve seen how addiction can freeze emotional maturity at the age it starts. While not an addiction, habitual bed rotting has a similar effect—it keeps you from doing the messy, beautiful work of growing up by shielding you from the very experiences that teach you how to cope.
Naturally, a lot of people wonder if this is a sign of depression. Sometimes, yes. If bed rotting is your go-to "self-care" and you’re consistently ditching things you used to love, it could be a sign, especially if you’re also feeling a heavy sense of low energy or hopelessness. But let’s be clear: not everyone who lounges in bed is depressed! The key question to ask yourself is a simple but powerful one: “Is this helping me recharge, or is it a black hole I can’t climb out of?” If you’re blowing off work, ignoring your friends, or letting life’s responsibilities pile up, it’s a sign that rest has been replaced by avoidance.
So, what’s the alternative? How do we rest in a way that actually fills us back up?
It’s all about swapping passive rotting for active rest. You don’t need to go from six hours of rotting to running a marathon. Start small. Set a timer for 20 minutes of guilt-free lounging, and when it goes off, just get up and do one small thing. Try a nature fix—I told WebMD that a 10-minute walk outside can reset your brain better than three hours of TikTok, and I truly believe that. Sunshine and fresh air are magic.
If socializing feels like too much, think in snack-sized portions. Text a meme to a friend, have a five-minute chat with a barista, or call a family member on your walk. These tiny connections are fuel. And finally, find a hobby that doesn’t feel like work. What feels like play to you? Is it coloring, dancing badly in your kitchen, or organizing a junk drawer? Find something that’s satisfying without being stressful.
As a therapist, my job is to help people build a "coping toolbox" that’s as unique as they are. I look at what they love, how they learn, and what makes them feel truly them. Rest isn’t the enemy; it’s essential. But let’s make sure our rest is actually helping us get ready to live our lives, not escape from them.