At Harvard, it often seems like every second must be accounted for. The Google Calendar squares often touch from morning to night, encompassing everything from social events to classes to networking. If you are not filling out a spreadsheet, attending a networking event, or going out, you may feel like you are doing something wrong. That guilt can motivate you to manage your time better, but it can also lead you to neglect your own well-being and off time. Thankfully, there is a way to find some relaxation in the hectic world of Harvard: bed rotting.
Bed rotting is a term that originated among Gen Z to describe sitting in bed all day. This usually includes watching movies or scrolling through social media. While it may sound lazy or unproductive, it can actually have many benefits. When done correctly, the act not only provides a much-needed break but can also help you rethink your connection with external validation and work.
As a whole, the value of taking a step back from life cannot be understated. It serves as an antidote to the relentless stress and anxiety that are all too common in high-pressure environments like Harvard. Despite what is often fed to us by TikTok self-help gurus or politicians wanting to cut welfare, overworking yourself and failing to find balance can have very serious effects. The build-up of stress, if left unchecked, can significantly impair cognitive functions, leading to decreased productivity and a diminished sense of well-being.
The practice of bed rotting—setting aside intentional time for inactivity—allows for a mental decompression that is increasingly rare. It provides a sanctuary from the constant stream of notifications, obligations, and comparisons that feed into the cycle of stress and anxiety. When we step away from the external stimuli that incessantly demand our attention, we give our brains the opportunity to shift into a more reflective mode.
Intentional bed rotting can look like setting aside one day on a weekend to just sit in bed all day. No work, no social gatherings, and no guilt—because you already set aside this time to have to yourself.
Bed rotting and other work-free times in our schedule serve as a recognition that we are not machines, and our value is not solely tied to our output—an important lesson at a school where we often crave external validation and achievement as our source of fulfillment. Bed rotting also allows the mind and body to recover, which can spark creative ideas and even build resilience once we return to our busy schedules. Indeed, scientific studies show that being alone helps creative people come up with ideas for music, visual artworks, and theater.
This is not to say that bed rotting doesn’t have its risks. Some might argue that bed rotting is a bad form of self-care since it inherently involves separating yourself from the campus community and the outside world. These concerns are backed by science. Too much time in bed can disrupt sleep cycles and worsen the effects of depression and loneliness. This is why it is important to set limits and ensure you are holding yourself accountable to a healthy balance of relaxation and work. Occasional bed rotting can be good, but too much can be harmful, especially if your schedule leads you to spend much time inside already.
For those who feel bed rotting would not be great for them, a parallel self-care strategy might also work: leaving the Harvard bubble by yourself. While it can seem daunting at first, since the more socially acceptable form of going out is to do so with others, being outside alone has many of the benefits of bed rotting and can be especially helpful for someone who has been inside for too long. Boston has many walkable and beautiful neighborhoods, like Beacon Hill or Back Bay, where one can get lost in narrow, European-style streets lined with stones and bricks.
Taking a social break gives you immense freedom, allowing you to process your own thoughts and do what makes you happy without compromising on someone else’s schedule. Cycle around Boston and sightsee, go to the art museum you’ve been wanting to see, or dine alone at a place that intrigues you. Doing so alone forces you to be in the moment, rather than doing them for the cool Instagram photos. It also helps you stay in touch with the communities that surround Harvard.
In general, there’s something liberating about engaging in activities devoid of external validation or the need to keep up with the societal rush. Bed rotting and its extensions into solitary activities are not about advocating for a life of isolation or inactivity. Instead, they serve as a reminder of the importance of balance.
In our Harvardian quest for achievement and belonging, we must not forget to nurture our relationship with ourselves. Spending a day disconnected from the world’s demands allows us to connect more deeply with our own needs and desires. Intentional bed rotting can lead to a more balanced, fulfilled, and, ultimately, productive life. It’s a defense of the self in a world that constantly asks for more, a reminder that sometimes the best move is to stay still, reflect, and simply be.
Roberto Quesada ’27 (robertoquesada@college.harvard.edu) can be found bed rotting sometimes.