Bed rotting
Bed rotting is the practice of spending many hours a day, or an entire day, relaxing in bed as a form of self-care. The term was added to Dictionary.com in 2024 following growing visibility of the practice on social media. It was defined as "the practice of spending many hours in bed during the day, often with snacks or an electronic device, as a voluntary retreat from activity or stress".
Background
Many people who partake in bed rotting commonly spend their time on their smartphone or reading a book. While some people use it as a way to recover mental health and combat burnout, bed rotting can intensify from a way to rest to a serious issue, which can lead to avoidance of going outside, socializing, or responsibilities.The trend has gained traction on social media, where users share their "bed rotting" experiences. Platforms like TikTok have popularized this behavior with a 2024 survey showing that nearly a quarter of Generation Z surveyed reported staying in bed for a day or more to relax or use devices.