Social media is full of people talking about bed rotting. Bed rotting is a term used to describe spending lots of time in bed doing passive activities. People may talk about bed rotting as a form of self-care. But are there downsides to it?
This article will explore what bed rotting is and how it can impact your mental health. You will learn:
- What bed-rotting is
- Potential downsides of bed rotting
- How bed rotting may be a sign of a mental health condition
- How to tell when it’s time to get help for mental health symptoms
- Where to find mental health treatment and support
If you or someone you love struggles with mental health symptoms, you are not alone. Find evaluations, treatment, and support programs at Agape Behavioral Health. Contact our treatment professionals to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Bed Rotting?
Life is full of stressors and challenges. Work, school, relationships, and other parts of daily life can sometimes leave people feeling physically exhausted and emotionally drained.
Sometimes, unplugging from the world and engaging in passive, restful activities can be just what the body and mind need. Spending time lying in bed, watching TV, and taking a break from socializing can help you unwind and relax.
TikTok and other social media are full of people advocating for a self-care trend called “bed-rotting.” Bed rotting involves staying in bed during the day. People may spend their entire day watching TV or movies. They may also snack on comfort foods or scroll through social media for extended periods of time.
Young adults may be most likely to engage in this type of self-care. Engaging in bed rotting can feel good in the moment. In small doses, it may even be good for a person’s physical and mental health.
However, some mental health experts warn people against this habit. Some believe excessive bed rotting may negatively impact functioning and health. Others think it may be a sign of a mental health condition.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
Is Bed Rotting Bad For You?
Most mental and physical health experts agree that it is essential to strike a balance between activities and rest. Spending too much time in bed or engaging in passive activities can harm your physical and mental health.
Some potential downsides of excessive bed-rotting include:
- Physical health issues related to reduced physical activity
- Sleep issues, including difficulty falling asleep at night or broken sleep
- Social isolation
- Difficulty keeping up with responsibilities at home, school, or work
- Worsening mental health symptoms
While there can be some benefits of bed rotting, doing it too often can have serious downsides. People who use bed-rotting as a form of self-care must be aware of the risks of doing it too often.
Is Bed Rotting a Sign of a Mental Health Condition?
Some mental health experts warn that bed-rotting may be a symptom of a mental health condition. They also believe that spending too much time in bed can worsen existing mental health conditions.
Here is a quick overview of some of the mental health conditions associated with excessive bed rotting.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can cause intense or prolonged anxiety symptoms. They can lead to feelings of overwhelm or burnout. People may spend time rotting in bed to counteract the overwhelming stress or anxiety symptoms they face.
Rotting in bed may help people escape anxiety, but only for a short time. In the long run, avoiding anxiety symptoms can actually make them worse. It is important to recognize excessive bed rotting and seek treatment to address the roots of anxiety.
Depression
People living with depression may feel fatigued or have low energy levels. This can lead to spending too much time in bed. While some people advocate for rotting in bed as a form of self-care, it may be a sign of depression.
Spending excessive time in bed can lead to disrupted sleep, neglected responsibilities, social isolation, and more. These outcomes can worsen the symptoms of depression. People who have symptoms of depression must seek treatment to identify and address the roots of their depression.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic experience. People with PTSD may live with overwhelming stress or want to avoid potential triggers. This can lead people to isolate or avoid aspects of everyday life.
People with PTSD may engage in bed-rotting as a way to manage the symptoms of this condition. This may provide temporary relief, but it does not address the cause of these symptoms.
If you or someone you love struggles with new or worsening mental health symptoms, seek treatment and support as soon as possible.
Find Mental Health Treatment
If you or a loved one needs treatment to stop rotting in bed or to address mental health symptoms, you are not alone. Find the treatment and support you need at Agape Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team now to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- Scientific American: Is ‘Bed Rotting’ Good or Bad for Your Sleep?
- Harvard Independent: In Defense of Bed Rotting
