Students, do you ever come home from school and tell yourself that you will start doing your homework right away? But then hours pass by, and it’s 11p.m., and no homework has been done at all because you kept pushing it back and procrastinating? 

 In TikTok terms, this is called “bed rotting,” a trend that has garnered hundreds of millions of views on TikTok. This began back in 2023 when influencers started posting “Day in my life” videos where they would film themselves lying in bed, napping, watching T.V., or just scrolling through their phone.  

This has influenced many Gens Zer’s to do the same as they now see bed rotting to relieve stress and distract themselves from school and other responsibilities. While this is true, there are consequences: the more bed rotting you do, the more harm you cause to your mental health. Here’s five ways to avoid the pitfalls of bed rotting and still handle your stress effectively. 

Item # 1: Exercising or Doing Yoga   

Explanation: If tired, getting in some exercise can help you feel reenergized in no time, exercises such as walking, running, dancing, or Bicycle crunches are an example. 

Item # 2: Meditating 

A lot of people who are suffering with procrastination are ones who have a lot of stress going on their head, if you’re one of them it is best to meditate, by listening to music and doing a mindful mediation by focusing on your breath, using deep, slow breaths to calm your mind and body. 

Item # 3: Talking to a Loved One  

If your reason to bed rot is because you are feeling depressed or anxious, just know that it will not solve a thing! Instead, it will harm your mental health. Yes, it is hard to speak about your feelings but speaking to your own parents or friends you trust can help you get out of that situation. 

Item # 4: Setting a Schedule  

If you are very disorganized, setting a schedule a week during the weekend or even a week before can help you keep on top of your tasks. You can set a schedule on your phone, Calendar, whiteboard, or in a journal.   

Item # 5:  Taking a Nap  

If you are coming home from school all tired, take a nap for 30-40 minutes but make sure to set an alarm to wake you up, especially if you are the type of person who can sleep through the entire day. Naps can help you feel energized after.

Even though it is hard to not fall into that trap over and over again, these five ways can help you avoid bed rotting and procrastination. But getting enough sleep and not overworking yourself also helps.