Neelam Hasini a student of Bojjam Narasimhulu Pharmacy College in Hyderabad was sucked into the habit of spending hours inside the bedroom doing nothing. What started as a simple exercise became a habit. She says, “I have got rid of this and now started socialising.”

In the case of Neelam, she managed to wriggle out of ‘bed rotting’ but not all are lucky. According to Dr Mohanraj, wellness coach, Vidya Centre of Wellness, Kavadiguda, “It is dangerous, as one gets so used to doing nothing, it becomes an addiction just like smoking and drinking.”  

The concept became popular on social media platforms particularly TikTok in 2023. Since then a video went viral while sharing the benefits through adapting  bed rotting  for  avoiding stress and individuals started sharing their experiences and sought validation.

Doctors and mental health experts however warn of the ill-effects of ‘bed rotting’ as it disrupts routines, leads to sleep disorders, and affects mental health. Added to these, leads to procrastination and avoidance of daily responsibilities and tasks.

Doctors advise outdoor activities, eating balanced food and just to get out of the bed and go out. Scrolling mobile, watching TV and snacking, especially during midnight could affect health. Siddiq Akar Khan, a journalism student from St Joseph’s Degree and PG College said, “Most of GenZ take to ‘bed rotting’ as an escape route. They claim that they feel better by isolating themselves but it will have an adverse effect in the long run.