Let's just 'rot' in bed (and film it for TikTok)

Spending the whole day in bed doing only what you want to do sounds idyllic, but overindulging in this can be harmful to your health. — AFP

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen videos of people filming themselves in bed ... doing nothing.

This new trend is racking up hundreds of millions of views on the social network.

And like all trends that go viral on TikTok, this one has a name: bed rotting.

An invention of Generation Z, bed rotting consists of staying in bed for hours, even days on end, doing nothing much: watching Netflix, stuffing your face with junk food, scrolling on your phone or simply sleeping.

It’s a concept that’s at the opposite end of the spectrum from the exhausting routines that have been taking over TikTok lately.

Indeed, it’s a far cry from the morning routines that require getting up at 5am.

Bed rotting is closer to the Goblin mode trend spotted on TikTok in the spring of 2022.

Most often practised by students or young professionals, this activity serves as a sort of decompression chamber.

For some, this indulgence of laziness is a hobby or pastime like any other.

For others, it’s a veritable way of life.

The aim is to spend a moment away from the world, without the usual responsibilities, far from the organisation, efficiency and productivity demanded from work or studying.

Between laziness and doing exactly what you feel like doing, bed rotting is a way for Gen Zers to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and decompress.

While there’s nothing wrong with hanging out in bed from time to time, experts warn against doing it too often, or for too long.

On TikTok, Washington University assistant professor of psychiatry Dr Jessi Gold invites bed rotters to ask themselves why they do it.

This encourages internet users to assess whether their snoozing during bed rotting is really beneficial to them, or whether it’s really just an escape from their busy lives.

After all, the risk of overindulging in this activity is that your sleep schedule may be thrown out of kilter by excessive napping.

Overindulgence in bed rotting could also affect the mental health (with a risk of depression or other mood-related disorders), and even the physical health of its fervent followers. – AFP Relaxnews