Is 'bathroom camping' Gen Z's new escape? The viral mental health trend no one saw coming

For generations, the bathroom was a place of quick relief — a functional pause in the day. But for a growing number of Gen Zers, it has become something else entirely: a hiding spot, a sanctuary, and in some cases, a place for psychological recovery. The phenomenon, now viral on TikTok and widely discussed across social platforms, is being dubbed “bathroom camping.”

This curious coping mechanism involves retreating into a restroom — sometimes for hours — not to use the toilet, but to disconnect from the noise of the outside world. Whether in the middle of a party or during an overstimulating day at home, the practice offers a moment of solitude, even if it's behind a locked stall in a public restroom.

According to a New York Post report, these self-imposed hideaways are being used for everything from doom-scrolling and music jamming to deep reflection and emotional unwinding. TikTok user @Hendo, whose video on restroom camping has garnered over 135,000 views, calls it a mental reset. “Every time something gets overstimulating in my life... let me go to the bathroom and let me refresh a little,” he says. Sometimes, he’s there for hours — just thinking, alone, in silence.

Not Just Weird: Sometimes, It’s a Trauma Response
What started as quirky internet content has now revealed deeper emotional undercurrents. Many commenters confessed to using bathroom camping as a way to escape anxiety, overstimulation, or even trauma. One user admitted, “It was the only room I ever felt safe in… so many panic attacks ridden out overnight.” Another recalled hiding in the bathroom as a child during their parents’ violent arguments — a makeshift panic room in the chaos of their home.

Mental health experts have weighed in on similar behavior. Media psychology specialist Cynthia Vinney, writing for Psycle Health, explained that prolonged time in places like showers or bathrooms can sometimes indicate underlying depression. “This behavior can be an indication of underlying mental health concerns,” she noted.

Is It Self-Care or Just Self-Isolation?
While many claim the practice helps them find calm, others argue it comes at a social cost. Some criticize restroom campers for occupying much-needed facilities without using them for their intended purpose. “I am a person with a small bladder and IBS,” one frustrated commenter wrote. “If you’re not using it and someone knocks, please let us have the room.”

Still, the digital age has amplified the need for solitude, and in the absence of private corners in workspaces or social gatherings, the restroom remains the one place where no one questions your presence. It’s the modern equivalent of pressing pause on life — behind a closed door with tiled walls and fluorescent lighting.

In an era of burnout, social anxiety, and overstimulation, bathroom camping might seem odd at first glance. But for some, it’s the only available form of stillness, a break from the noise, and a safe zone to breathe. What may appear to be just another social media trend could, in fact, be a quiet cry for peace — or a sign that we all need better ways to protect our mental well-being in a world that rarely stops moving.