Increasingly, I’ve heard the term “bed rotting.” Not previously familiar with the concept, I recently discovered what a number of sources have to say about it. For instance, one source states:
Bed rotting is a phrase from social media wherein a person stays in bed for an entire day without engaging in daily activities and chores. This concept emphasizes taking time to rest, recharge, and enjoy leisure activities like watching TV, reading, or scrolling through social media without the pressure to be productive.
Slightly less than a couple decades ago, I engaged in bed rotting with different intimate partners. We dedicated an entire day to remaining in bed, ordered food to be delivered to my home, and engaged in romantic activities to be left to the reader’s imagination. It was a form of couple-care.
Thus, there was nothing inherently good, bad, or otherwise about the activity. Rather, it was merely an intentional focus on us as a means of intimate devotion to the romantic relationship. Therefore, I subjectively considered that form of bed rotting as a healthy experience.
A separate source states that this “trend is most popular among Generation Z who may feel burnt out from work, school, family demands, or social engagements,” and, “While bed rotting can benefit some people in the short-term, it can become concerning if it lasts for more than one or two days.”
First, I reject the claim that an individual “may feel burnt out.” A feeling relates to an emotion (i.e., joy, fear, anger, sorrow, disgust, surprise, etc.) or a bodily sensation (e.g., I feel throbbing in my head). However, being burnt out relates to an experience, not an emotion or sensation.
Second, using logic and reason, it makes sense to me that Gen Z would make up their own term for behavior in which generations of past also engaged. My generational cohort, Gen X, also made up linguistic descriptions for various activities (e.g., gettin’ skins).
Last, I can see how healthy self-care in the form of bed rotting could easily transition into an unhealthy behavior beyond a particular period of time. Regarding this matter, I think it depends on the individual to determine what is healthy or unhealthy.
At numerous points in time, when experiencing episodes of chronic depression, I’ve withdrawn from others, remained in bed for days on end, and aggravated symptoms of my depressive disorder through use of an unhelpful attitude. This included not tending to activities of daily living.
For those who’ve endured similar experiences, you likely understand that when your sheets begin sticking to your body, due to perspiration, bodily oils, and filth, the unpleasant event creates a whole other matter of concern than whatever it was that led you to the bed to begin with.
From the perspective of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I understand that I historically disturbed myself with irrational beliefs about undesirable experiences. Thus, I made matters worse for myself when bed rotting became an unhealthy activity in which I partook.
When working with clients who self-disturb with unhelpful beliefs which result in unfavorable consequences, such as prolonged bed rotting, I use a holistic approach to wellness. This includes engaging in some form of physical activity, even if only walking through one’s neighborhood.
It isn’t necessarily comfortable to challenge oneself to do the unimaginable when experiencing an unhealthy depressive episode. However, it’s also not all that comfortable to remain in bed for five straight days while smelling one’s own body odor. According to one source:
Spending too much time lying in bed may have negative effects. Experts recommend that people get physical activity regularly, even if it’s just standing up and walking around. Inactivity is associated with worse mental health. Engaging in physical activity instead of sedentary behavior has been found to improve mental health and adolescents and older adults alike.
I’ll set aside my critique in relation to an appeal to authority, as the aforementioned source referenced “experts,” as I concur that regular physical activity can improve mental, emotional, and behavioral health outcomes, which is indicated by anecdotal and other evidence.
Ultimately, I further agree with what one source says about bed rotting, “Notice whether the activity is impacting your ability to keep up with work, family, or school obligations, as well as whether you’re struggling with basic hygiene.” If remaining in bed isn’t negatively impactful to you, who’s to say whether or not bed rotting is good, bad, right, wrong, or otherwise?
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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Freepik. (n.d.). Close up on person suffering from depression [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/close-up-person-suffering-from-depression_94953220.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=49&uuid=bbc71c87-ed26-411d-83e6-ba44c4d730ed
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