The term 'bed rotting' has taken off on TikTok, with videos surrounding the trend now surpassing 130 million views. It’s becoming one of the latest sleep-related crazes, sparking conversations about how we approach rest and relaxation.

Dr Deborah Lee, a sleep expert working with Bed Factory Direct, explains that ‘bed rotting’ refers to the act of spending prolonged periods in bed, often avoiding responsibilities, and engaging in activities like scrolling through TikTok or binge-watching TV shows without much else.

While the term itself carries negative connotations, with ‘rotting’ suggesting something harmful, Dr Lee examines whether the practice is really as damaging as it’s often portrayed. She suggests that, in fact, the trend might not be as harmful as many think, and there could be more to the idea of taking time to rest and disconnect.

“Bed rotting can be positive if it’s done as a genuine stance of needing to recover and rest, however, the term ‘rotting’ does have a negative impact," she explains. "Perhaps renaming it as ‘intentional rest’ will put a bit more of a positive spin on this rather than the use of the term ‘to rot’ – it shifts the focus from being lazy and unproductive to purposeful relaxation, which we all need to get over our busy modern-day lives."

However, Dr Lee also discusses why some people who take up ‘bed rotting’ are actually doing it for the wrong reasons.