„Bed Rotting“ is a new trend among young people, in which they spend the whole day or weekend in a comfortable bed. Instead of pursuing strenuous leisure activities, „bed rottin'“ involves choosing not to leave the bed after sleeping and tackling a lazy day. This makes „bed rottin'“ part of a passive relaxation and regeneration strategy that has never existed in this form before.
The trend thus deviates so clearly from conventional leisure activities, which primarily use active regeneration. However, if the day is spent in bed at home, the emphasis is primarily on the physical and bodily components and that they are fully recovered.
Loved by young people, rather criticized by people of older age, „bed rooting“ is quite polarizing. Many people are not even aware of this. The following article should therefore serve to explain the „Bed Rotting“ once in detail. Therefore, a detailed definition of the term, information about the origin of the word as well as reasons for the „Bed Rotting“ and a social classification follow, before also criticisms to this topic are dealt with.
Definition and Meaning of the Term „Bed Rotting“
The term „Bed Rotting“ originates from English and is composed of the noun „bed“ and the verb „to rot“. Combined, „bed rotting“ can therefore be translated as „rotting in bed“ or „rotting in bed“ or „lazing in bed“.
What is meant by this is that a person who engages in „bed rottin'“ intends to spend the entire day in bed. This does not even have to be a specific need for sleep. Rather, the time in bed can also be spent with a partner, eating, or using entertainment media.
„Bed Rotting“ therefore does not follow a precise scheme and does not have any exact guidelines. The only important thing is that the person has no plans and does not intend to leave the bed. Consequently, it is a trend that is increasingly finding its way into the everyday lives of young people.
Origin and word origin of „Bed Rotting“
The exact origin of „bed rottin'“ is not known. However, it is assumed that the term originated in the USA in the last two to three years and then gradually became known in Germany as well. The concept of „bed rooting“ first appeared among young people on social media (especially on Instagram and TikTok). Here, it was first addressed in short videos, before hashtags and other references to this new practice followed. However, the word itself originates from the English language and represents a neologism. To date, there is no German equivalent, with „Bed Rotting“ in this country strongly resembling the time-honored „Gammeltag.“
Reasons for carrying out „Bed Rotting“
Just young people have according to own data many reasons, which speak for the new trend „Bed Rotting“ and a raison d’être of this. These are mainly the following reasons:
- the exceptionally high stress level of today’s youth
- excessive demands of growing up and today’s working world
- proactive prevention of burnout and other mental illnesses
The aforementioned reasons that speak for „Bed Rotting“ will be explained in more detail in the subsections that follow now.
High stress level among teenagers
Young people today complain of an above-average stress level due to the more hectic school day, greater pressure to perform, as well as due to extracurricular commitments and constant comparison on social media. Their own demand to always be „perfect“ also contributes to this. Added to this are problems with finding one’s own identity, which young people today feel increasingly confronted with. More and more, the need for complete relaxation in everyday life is becoming apparent.
Overload
Due to the excessively high stress level and the growing demands on life in today’s societies, many young people tend to feel more overwhelmed than before. The huge choice of options in career, lifestyle and partnership make individual decision-making additionally difficult. The „agony of choice“, combined with the increased social demands, leads overall to a creeping overload of young generations.
Preventing burnout
Young people see „bed rottin'“ as a good opportunity to consciously take time for themselves and their own relaxation. Doing nothing at will is seen as very relaxing and regenerative in a society consisting of constant obligations. In fact, „bed rottin'“ can be an effective stress management strategy. It can prevent or even prevent dreaded psychological illnesses such as burnout.
Social classification of „Bed Rotting“
Bed Rotting“ is primarily a trend that is very popular among members of the „Y“ and „Alpha“ generations. These are individuals who are under the age of 25. Among older generations, this term is rather unknown, although here, too, the relaxation technique of „bed rooting“ is very popular. This is especially true for people who work in very emotionally and physically demanding jobs. For stress-ridden teenagers and emotionally and physically hard-working adults, „Bed Rotting“ is therefore considered an ideal regeneration tactic that differs greatly from established (more active) regeneration methods.
Criticisms of „Bed Rotting“
Although „Bed Rotting“ in itself is rather harmless and not much is needed to practice this recreational activity, there are quite a few critics. These can be attributed mainly to people of older generations, who see in „Bed Rotting“ a tendency to laziness and idleness (and thus self-sacrifice before fate). Striving and particularly resilient young people also find it difficult to identify with „Bed Rotting“.
Conclusion on „Bed Rotting“
In summary, then, „bed rottin'“ is a new trend in recreational activities among adolescents that can be viewed as an individual stress management strategy. It is characterized by spending the whole day (or several days at a time) in bed and performing only light, restorative activities, such as sleeping, eating, or watching TV.
Related to the term „bed rooting“ are, for example, the terms „self-care,“ „mindfulness,“ or „digital detox.“ They all represent specific stress management strategies that are intended to increase individual well-being, but „bed rooting“ is actually the most passive variant.