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It's Sunday morning and instead of meal prepping work lunches or hitting a daybreak Pilates class, you're doing something truly wild. You're staying exactly where you are, tangled in your rumpled sheets, phone in hand, scrolling TikToks (give us a follow, btw) while steadily working your way through a bag of Takis.
Welcome to bed rotting, Gen Z's latest act of rebellion against our relentless productivity culture. And honestly…it might be exactly what we all need.
What Even Is Bed Rotting?
Before you start picturing something truly gross, let me clarify: bed rotting isn't actually about decomposing (ew). The term simply refers to spending extended periods in bed, not sleeping necessarily, but doing absolutely everything else. We're talking about intentional unproductivity which can include binge-watching comfort shows, scrolling through social media, snacking, reading, or just existing in a cozy cocoon while the world carries on, somewhere over there.
The hashtags #bedrot and #bedrotting have racked up over 32 million posts on TikTok, with Gen Z leading the charge in normalizing what previous generations might have called "being lazy."
The Rise of Professional Resters
Whence did this trend spawn? Out of the chaos of our world, bed rotting emerged from a perfect storm of burnout, anxiety, and a generation that's had enough of hustle culture.
Gen Z has grown up in a world that's been perpetually "on." They've lived through a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, climate anxiety, and the pressure to optimize every moment of their lives for maximum productivity. "Research has shown that Gen Z is, generally speaking, more anxious than other generations." When you're dealing with all of that, sometimes the most radical act is simply stopping.
"What I think of bed rotting is it's like a self-care moment," says Dr. Jen Caudle, a family medicine physician. Isn't it about time we had permission to just exist without justifying every moment?
For the first time in our collective memory, bed rotting gave people permission to rest without guilt. It became the proverbial middle finger to the idea that your worth is tied solely to your productivity.
The Science Behind Strategic Laziness
Before you roll your eyes in dismissal, consider that rest isn't just nice to have, it's a biological imperative. "We aren't designed to go, go, go," explains psychologist Bonnie Zucker. "Our nature is not to have a nonstop 12-hour workday and a six-hour sleep cycle. That's really going against what our biological needs call for, which is adequate downtime."
When you're sick, what does your body demand? Rest. When you're stressed, what actually helps? Rest. When you're burned out from trying to be the main character in your own life 24/7, what might be the solution? Good ol’ reliable REST.
The problem isn't that we're resting but rather that we've been taught to feel guilty about it. Bed rotting gives us a framework to rest without the shame spiral that usually comes with it.
When Bed Rotting Actually Works
When is bed rotting genuinely good for you? "In small doses, it can calm the body and help ease stress and exhaustion," says psychologist Courtney DeAngelis.
Here's when your inner couch potato might actually be onto something:
When you're genuinely exhausted. Sometimes your body and brain need a full system reboot, and that's okay.
When you need to decompress. Life is a lot right now. If spending a Sunday watching true crime docs while eating cereal for dinner helps you process the week, that's valid self-care.
When you're setting boundaries. Bed rotting can be a way of saying "no" to the world's constant demands on your time and energy.
When it's intentional. The key difference between healthy bed rotting and concerning behavior is intentionality. When you're choosing rest as a form of self-care rather than using it to avoid life.
When Bed Rotting Goes Wrong
Here's where things get nuanced (because life always is). While bed rotting can be a form of radical self-care, it's not a cure-all, and it definitely has its dark side.
"If bed rotting becomes a habitual behavior, it could potentially be a sign of depression or other mental health issues," warns Dr. Ryan Sultan from Columbia University. The difference between self-care and self-sabotage often comes down to frequency, duration, and motivation.
Red flags include:
Staying in bed for days at a time
Using bed rotting to avoid responsibilities consistently
Feeling worse after your bed sessions, not better
Struggling with basic hygiene or daily tasks
As psychologist Amy Morin points out, "Avoiding problems adds to stress". If you're bed rotting because life feels unmanageable, that's your cue to seek out support, not to hide under the covers indefinitely.
How to Bed Rot Like a Pro
Want to embrace the bed rotting lifestyle? Some tips on how to maximize the benefits while minimizing the potential downsides:
Get out of your actual bed. I know, I know, it's called bed rotting. But sleep experts are pretty unanimous on this one: "Find a place outside your bed to 'rot' during the day is best for protecting your ability to fall asleep in bed at night," advises Dr. Dianne Augelli. Your couch, a cozy reading chair, or even a pile of cushions on the floor can work well.
Move your body occasionally. "There is a risk for blood clots if you stay in bed for a long time," notes Dr. Daniel Landau. Get up every few hours to stretch, grab water, or do a little dance.
Be mindful of your activities. Not all bed rotting activities are created equal. Reading, journaling, or gentle stretching might leave you feeling more refreshed than doom-scrolling through The App Formerly Known As Twitter for six hours straight.
Stay connected. "Real human connection in day-to-day life is extremely important for maintaining a sense of wellness," says psychiatrist Dr. Justin Kei. Text a friend, call your mom, or consider bed rotting with someone you love.
The Bigger Picture
Bed rotting is the result of a generation of young people who are tired of apologizing for being human. In a world that demands we bio-hack, optimize, and possibly monetize everything from our morning routines to our sleep cycles, sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply existing without an agenda.
"We, as a culture, need to stop preaching such a narrow-minded version of what self-care should be," observes Jenna Ryu, and she's right. Why should self-care only count if it involves green smoothies and sunrise Pilates? Sometimes taking care of yourself looks like staying horizontal and watching The Office for the umpteenth time.
The bed rotting trend isn't really about beds or rotting,it's about permission. Permission to rest, to be unproductive, to exist without justification. In a world that profits from our constant busyness, that permission might be the most radical thing of all.
The next time you find yourself sprawled across your couch at 2 PM on a Sunday, surrounded by snack wrappers and completely unbothered by your to-do list, remember that you're not being lazy. You're being revolutionary. Just maybe set a timer, stretch, and hydrate occasionally.
Staff Picks: Bed Rotting Essentials
Since we're all about making your horizontal hours as blissful as possible, our team rounded up their go-to Earth Therapeutics faves for next-level bed rotting.
 AngelaWriter |
When it's miserable and rainy outside, that's my guilt-free cue to cancel all plans, download an irresistibly addictive book, and hunker down in a mountain of pillows and blankies. If I'm feeling like multi-tasking, I'll throw on a 90-minute foot peeling mask since I'm not going no where! Purifying Charcoal Gentle Peeling Foot MaskSoft & Smooth Gentle Peeling Foot Mask Gentle Peeling Foot Mask with Hemp Seed Oil |
 CaseyContent Creator |
For the BEST bed-rotting sesh, I pair the incredibly soft Aloe Socks with the smooth, pajama feel of the Dream Silk Comfort Cream. Top it off with a sleep mask, like the Dream Zone Sleep Mask, and you are never getting me out of that-bed! |
Julia |
Though I think we all need a good Bed Rot once in a while, I can’t get over the guilt. So I multi-task with a Face Mask and the Hemp Foot Peeling Mask under my Aloe Socks - while bingeing true crime on my laptop. And my dog, Saki, by my feet. |
 LaurenMarketing & Sales Manager |
Once I tried the Ergonomic Sleep Mask, I could never go back to a regular sleep mask. It's so comfortable and the contoured design is a game changer. And when my feet need extra comfort, nothing beats our fuzzy aloe socks.
For the days I don't feel like getting up, nothing pairs better with bed rotting than the Brightening Black Pearl Mask and Recovery Gold Hydrogel Under Eye Patches. It's truly an at-home spa experience for a fraction of the cost. My favorite type of self care.
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 MadiContent Creator |
I’ve got a jungle of indoor plants that demand all my love, so the Gardener’s Repair Cream and gloves are basically hand rehab. And the Pillow Mist? Bed rotting just doesn’t hit the same without it. Gardener’s Repair Moisturizing GlovesPillow Mist |
