Instead of feeling guilty for taking breaks or slowing down, teens are embracing relaxed routines with activities like “bed rotting,” and having slow mornings with intentional rest. These habits are becoming popular because many teens feel burnt out from school, work or even both. About a quarter of American Generation Z (24%) said they’d tried bed rotting, the survey found. This trend reflects a broader shift in how people use their time in bed, experts said. More than half (51%) of people spend more than 30 minutes in bed before trying to go to sleep and 27% say they linger in bed most mornings before getting up. 

As social media slang continues to evolve, bed rotting has become a commonly used term, especially on TikTok. Bed rotting refers to staying in bed for long periods of time while doing low-effort activities like watching television shows, scrolling on social media, reading or listening to music. Although the term has a negative connotation, it’s often used jokingly and reflects a broader topic of using rest to recover from feeling burnt out.

HBHS freshman Lily Carlson said, “I’ve seen so many people [bed rot], including friends and my classmates, so it’s definitely a common thing.”

However, rest can easily turn into prolonged inactivity, especially when social media is involved. Bed rotting can feel like an escape from the daily stress of managing school, work and a social life.

Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) freshman, Alma Garrett, said, “Social media is definitely one of those things where you go on it for five minutes to take a break, and suddenly it turns into ten, which eventually leads to an hour.”

Some people see staying in bed as a safe way to avoid overwhelming situations. Most teens who bed rot are not trying to avoid their responsibilities forever; they simply need time to relax and recharge.

Procrastination is closely connected to bed rotting, as both can stem from burnout and emotional exhaustion. “[It’s] basically knowing exactly what you have to do but feeling like your feet are glued to the floor. You watch the clock, fully aware of the time slipping by, yet somehow, that urgency doesn’t move you,” said HBHS freshman, Siena Cornelius.

Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an New York City-based neuropsychologist, said, “Bed rotting has emerged as a prevalent trend on TikTok where users partake in prolonged periods of bed rest, often lasting an entire day or  even multiple days, while binge-watching and scrolling social media content.”

Bed rotting reflects how teens and young adults are trying to cope with stress, but when taken too far, it can become harmful. Spending excessive time in bed and avoiding daily responsibilities can lead to increased feelings of depression, isolation and anxiety.

Resting regularly is good for you, but bed rotting for too long or too often can indicate a deeper mental-health issue. “It can be difficult to disentangle what is a self-care day from what is a low or major depression, and when should you seek help?”  said Stephanie Preston, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan.

The difference between healthy and unhealthy bed rotting is balance. Rest can be beneficial when it is intentional and temporary. Taking a day off after a stressful week, for example, can help someone reset and recover.

For many teens, rest is most beneficial when it allows them to recharge and feel refreshed without feeling stuck. By learning when to slow down and when to stay engaged, young people can take care of their mental health in a better way. Rest is important, but so is getting up, staying connected and creating routines that support both recovery and personal growth.