Bed rotting: TikTok trend can worsen depression and burnout

Bed rotting, an activity that is attracting the attention of Gen Zs and gaining popularity on TikTok could be dangerous for one’s mental health.

The trend involves one spending the entire day in bed, as a method of ‘self-care’.

It encourages one to spend hours on social media, binge-watching television, reading, and snacking while curled up in bed. They abandon the culture of productivity, opting to take time to rest.

While some claim bed rotting helps to ease tension and anxiety, experts claim it might actually exacerbate the situation.

According to Leah Ndegwa, a psychologist in Nairobi, the TikTok trend that has more than 15 million hashtags, can make depression and burn out worse.

“Stress and burnout affect both our mental and physical health, and taking the time to relax can help people recharge but there has to be a limit to it. Absence of moderation and awareness can cause problems in the long run,” she says.

The activity can make depression worse, and promote avoidance and isolation. When done for a long time, it can worsen overall health by increasing risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease, it can impact or impair functioning.

“If depression is already pre-existing, then it is defiantly going to make it worse because you do need people and social support during such a time so this activity does affect and worsen your mental health. It can also trigger the onset of depression, the activity itself could be one of the indicators of depression because isolating is how it starts,” Leah adds.

The young adults use this practice to give themselves an opportunity to ‘recharge their batteries’.

The psychologist notes that while bed rotting can benefit some people in the short-term, it can become a concern if it lasts for more than one or two days.

In order to break this cycle, it’s important to be mindful and aware of when the practice is affecting one’s lifestyle and productivity.

Instead of rotting in bed, Ndegwa recommends healthier ways to get out of a rut.

“Come up with a timetable, focusing on getting quality sleep at night, exercise try to go out and do other things and definitely coming up with a list of other things to do as self-care. Have a set of actives that you like so that you can space them out,” she recommends.