If you have been chronically online, you have probably already stumbled upon multiple videos and posts about what bed-rotting is and why it is well-known among teenagers and young adults.

It is basically when a person is curled up on the bed, scrolling through their social media accounts, consuming every algorithm handed to them for hours without them realizing it.

For most people, bed-rotting equates to rest or “me time.”

But is it the rest your body needs?

For the moment, it probably does. But the gradual shift in pattern to an unhealthy cycle of being curled up in bed for hours, isolated from the real world, binge-watching every movie based on the genre you’ve been watching, will have longer-term negative effects than you would think.

Bed-rotting may not be a mental illness, but according to an article from Cleveland Clinic Newsroom (CCN, it may be an underlying condition caused by depression, social isolation, and anxiety due to digital stimulation.

But how does bed-rotting actually kill a person’s mental wellness?

Digital anhedonia, or the inability to find enjoyment in real-life situations due to digital stimulation, is one of the main factors why youth prefer to stay in their bed—inside their comfort zone. Easier, cozier, and away from problems.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Laurence Chan of Columbia University, notes that while rest is vital, too much emphasis on rest can backfire.

Consuming too much media for several hours may result in various health problems, whether physical, emotional, or even mental. 

How can a person avoid bed-rotting?

It is important to become aware of how much time you spend scrolling through social media or how long you’ve been watching movies.

If you become an expert at becoming aware and having control over your actions—the rest will follow.

Bed-rotting does not have to be an isolating activity.

You can still spend time in your room, on the bed, doing something productive. It may be journaling, listening to music, or even shifting that energy into something creative.

The most important step is to be able to distinguish what your health needs from what feels like the beginning of an unhealthy lifestyle that feels impossible to get out of.