After a holiday marathon of gift shopping, family feasts, and church visits, many Filipinos are swapping the chaos for a new trend in self-care: “bed rotting.”
The term, popularized on TikTok, refers to spending extended periods in bed resting, scrolling social media, binge-watching shows, or simply doing nothing. It is meant as a deliberate mental health break rather than laziness, experts say.
“At a time when we try to squeeze in as many activities as we can, it’s natural to step away from the busyness to decompress, breathe, and simply do nothing,” said Anna Marie Lantano, a psychiatrist at Makati Medical Center.
Other cultures have similar practices: in the Netherlands, “niksen” encourages idleness and relaxation, while in Italy, “dolce far niente” translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.”
Dr. Lantano cautioned that bed rotting should be balanced. “Give yourself enough time to rest without compromising your responsibilities,” she said.
She recommended scheduling breaks on weekends or days off and warned against using bed rotting to avoid people or obligations.
Experts advise avoiding work in bed, including emails or reports, and instead enjoying shows, movies, books, or connecting with friends through calls. Short naps can help recharge energy, but long daytime sleep may disrupt nighttime rest.
Even during a day of bed rotting, brief stretches or short walks every few hours help keep your body active and healthy.
“Get up every two to three hours to walk and stretch. This promotes circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots,” Dr. Lantano said.
She added that guilt has no place in self-care. “Think of bed rotting as a reward for all that you do for others and how much better you’ll feel once you return to your routine.”
