“Bed Rotting”: Decoding Social Media’s Popular Self-Care Trend
If you’re on social media, you have probably heard of the self-care trend known as “bed rotting”. Honestly, it’s nothing new. But, you can trust social media to turn a simple, everyday thing into something cool and new to try. So, “bed rotting” it is.
Table of Contents
What is bed rotting?
Bed rotting is lounging in bed (aka rotting) all day with no agenda. Sound familiar? Because it is. Permitting yourself to do nothing is one of the most common ways to relax, decompress, and, most importantly, rest. Whether that looks like an agenda-less day laying in bed or a Netflix binge on the couch, a good “rot” is good for the mind, body, and soul.
Being intentional about doing nothing
Today, our lives are determined by busy calendars and endless to-do lists. To be on the go and switched on 24/7 is impractical, unhealthy, and unsustainable. There has to be a moment to press pause from our hectic lives to reset and recharge and one of the easiest ways to do that is to have a day or part of a day dedicated to doing absolutely nothing.
But, most people struggle to do nothing. There’s a guilt that creeps in after a few hours of doing nothing that makes you feel bad about it. So, the key is to be very intentional about doing nothing because it also serves an important purpose in avoiding burnout and de-stressing.
We fill up our schedules with everything we have to do; so it should follow to schedule time to do some rotting, too. Balance, right?
Guide to bed rotting
We remember the days (especially in our youth) when entire days flew by in a haze of naps and nothingness. But, I also remember never feeling as refreshed or rested because my whole routine was thrown off. So, maybe social media is onto something with its modern rebranding of staying in bed all day. Here are the key takeaways:
Find your purpose
Take a moment to think about why you feel like rotting in bed. Is it stress? Physical exhaustion? Need to mentally switch off? Want to binge a TV show? Phone detox? Once you find a purpose, then bed rotting doesn’t feel like a waste of time.
Plan your time
Schedule time to do nothing. It doesn’t have to be a full day. It can be a few hours or part of a day. Figure out if a weekend or a day off from work works best for you. With a little advance planning you will also be in the right frame of mind to enjoy your time off.
Balance between doing nothing and doing something
While doing nothing is a large part of rotting, laying in bed all day (unless you’re sick) won’t feel as good as you think. It can also affect sleep at night. So, add other ways to rot like a Netflix binge; a few hours of self-care; or uninterrupted reading time. Movement is also important. Go for a walk or do a workout at home.
Don’t rot on your own, if you don’t want to
Catch up with friends or family. Plan a rotting activity with a friend or loved one. Everything’s fair game 🙂 the key is to enjoying a day without any burdens or pressure. So, if rotting in company is your vibe, go for it.
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