Bedrotting: What is it, is it Healthy, and How to Use it Effectively
Self-care is something that has become quite a trendy topic in the last few years. One form of self-care that has recently become popular is something people call bed rotting. As strange as this may sound, it is something that you may already be doing for your mental health.
In this article, we will be discussing what bed rotting is, whether or not it is healthy, and if it has long-term mental health effects.
What is Bedrotting?
Although the term bed rotting sounds a little distasteful, it is simply used to describe when you stay in bed for extensive periods of time to do things other than sleep. Bed rotting can include eating snacks, watching TV, reading a book, etc.
Although the term bed rotting is new, this behavior is nothing new for most people, as many enjoy lounging in bed as a pastime. However, whether or not this is a healthy form of self-care is still being questioned.
Healthy Bedrotting
Bed rotting can be a healthy form of self-care if used correctly and within reason. Most people find that spending time in bed doing passive activities has a calming effect and can help them feel rested even if they don’t sleep. The bed is a relaxing place for most people and can help you recharge and wind down after a physically or mentally demanding day.
This self-care trend has also opened the door in terms of giving people permission to lay around without necessarily feeling like they are lazy. Although self-care is more recognized now than ever before, there is still a strong emphasis in today’s society that tells people they must stay busy or productive at all times.
A healthy way to enjoy bed rotting is to choose calming activities that still bring you some fulfillment, even if they are passive. For instance, many people enjoy reading a book in bed to relax or may enjoy doing some gentle yoga in bed.
Harmful Bedrotting
Like most behaviors, bed rotting can also come with some harmful characteristics if it isn’t used appropriately. It is a self-care strategy that has to be balanced. Otherwise, it could easily swing towards being very unhealthy.
It is recommended that you avoid bed rotting for any longer than one or two days. Spending too much time in bed is not only unhealthy for your physical body, it is harmful for your mental health in the long run. Enjoying this in moderation can be beneficial, but you need to make sure it does not become a pattern of behavior.
Another thing to consider about bed rotting is that the activities you do in bed significantly impact whether or not this is harmful. For instance, spending time in bed to scroll on social media can often lead to a negative effect on your mental health. This time is best used to disconnect from the online world and reconnect more with what truly matters to you.
Long-Term Vs. Short-Term Effects
Unlike many self-care activities, bed rotting is something that walks the line between being healthy and unhealthy. It isn’t one of those self-care habits that you want to cultivate and incorporate into your daily routine. Instead, it is something best left for special occasions or a day or two on the weekend.
It is also very different from other self-care activities because it is beneficial in the short term, not the long term. This is the opposite of other activities like meditating or therapy, which usually don’t produce any benefits immediately but have long-term benefits.
Why is Bedrotting so Popular?
It is difficult to pinpoint why bed rotting is something that has taken off so much lately. It is not anything groundbreaking; it is simply an old activity that has been dressed up with a more modern name.
It’s believed that more people are embracing the idea of bed rotting due to there being so much pressure on adults, especially younger adults. People are encouraged to work as much as possible, even going so far as to take on several jobs or side hustles. Many people are also shamed if they struggle to accomplish what people expect of them or have a hard time providing for themselves.
Bed rotting has become a popular buzz term that helps people put a label on something that they have found beneficial. It has also given people permission to enjoy self-care in a way that doesn’t necessarily fall into the same category as other self-care activities.
How to Avoid Unhealthy Bedrotting
Even though many people may find bed rotting beneficial for their mental health, it can easily become an unhealthy habit. That is why it is vital that you understand how to bed rot in a way that is actually beneficial for your mental and physical health. Here are some examples of how you can still enjoy this pastime without the negative effects.
Don’t Bed Rot in Bed
It may seem silly not to enjoy bed rotting in bed, but there is plenty of research that backs up the harmful effects of lounging in bed. Your bed should be used strictly for sleep and intimate activities; otherwise, your brain will not see it as a place to wind down.
Instead of lounging in bed, you can lounge on your couch or a comfy chair outside of your bedroom. Not only is this going to help you maintain the ability to fall asleep without distraction, it also prevents you from being isolated in your room.
Incorporate Activity
As relaxing as it is to lay around doing nothing, this isn’t very good for your body, even if you do it for just a few hours. Because of this, you should try to get up and do something active if you are going to spend the day bed rotting. Try doing a light exercise routine or some gentle yoga or stretches.
Have a Bedrotting Routine
There is a creative way that you can enjoy bed rotting on a regular basis without overdoing it. One way to do this is to bed rot one or two hours every day as part of your daily routine. For instance, you could spend the last few hours of your day lounging in bed doing passive activities that help you wind down before sleep.
Lounge Outdoors
Even if you aren’t bed rotting, spending too much time inside is not going to be good for your mental health. People spend far too much time indoors and miss out on the amazing mental health benefits that being in nature provides. To get the best of both worlds, find a comfy place to sit or lay outside and enjoy some much-needed relaxation in an outdoor environment.
Find Productive and Passive Activities
There is still a way to enjoy being productive without putting unnecessary stress on your mind and body. You can enjoy the benefits of bed rotting along with the benefits of participating in productively passive activities. Some examples of this include planning your week, setting goals, journaling, watching an educational documentary, or learning a new passive skill.
Conclusion
Bed rotting is one of those more complex self-care options that have to be used the right way for it to actually be beneficial. Too much bed rotting, and you will get the opposite mental health effect. Some ways to enjoy the benefits of this include bed rotting outside of your bedroom, avoiding social media, and limiting how much time you bed rot.
Do you want to focus on improving your mental health this year? Contact us today at Harmony Bay Wellness, where you can access our mental health program or get individual therapy.