“Bathroom Camping”: A Fun Trend That Can Benefit Us All

When I first heard the phrase bathroom camping, I must have looked like a deer in headlights. When I heard it was a rising trend my immediate thought was: “Wow, I am such a Millennial. What in the world is bathroom camping?”

So of course, I Googled it. And when I realized what people were actually doing, I burst out laughing, thinking, “OMG, is this trending now?? I have been telling my clients to do this FOR YEARS!!” Turns out, the internet just gave it a catchy name.

So, what exactly is bathroom camping, and how can it actually make a difference in our mental health? Let’s dig in.

Life on Dopamine- Why Do We Need Micro-Breaks?

Our daily lives are filled with stimulation from the moment we open our eyes. Email and social media alerts wake us up in the morning. Work calls kick off by 9 a.m., we eat lunch at our desks, and our weekends are filled with errands and social plans. The average person rarely has a moment of true quiet anymore.

Sitting in silence without a phone in hand almost feels like something from another time. That’s why the bathroom has become an unlikely refuge. For many of us, it’s the only place we can decompress, disconnect, and steal a moment for ourselves (or at least get close—I see you, parents). And if you leave your phone behind? Even better.

Bathroom camping is essentially stepping into the restroom as a mini hideout. Not necessarily to use the facilities—or to play Tetris (was I the only one addicted back in the day?)—but to give yourself a moment to breathe, reset, and check in. In a way, it’s like a mini digital detox or a quick detox from social media in the middle of your day.

But …Why the Bathroom?

The bathroom is symbolic. It’s the one socially acceptable place to step away without questions. What we often don’t realize is that it can also serve as a deliberate pause for stress management techniques and healthier coping mechanisms.

Now you have a choice to make: use those small moments during your day to actually check in with yourself, or rush back to the grind without giving yourself even 60 seconds to reset. The choice is yours, but if you’re not taking advantage of those tiny windows of opportunity, you’re missing out on a simple but powerful form of self-care.

One of my go-to tools—and one that my clients are probably tired of hearing about- is the emotional thermometer.

The Emotional Thermometer: How to Check-in with Your Mental Health?

Picture a thermometer in your mind that goes from zero to ten:

0 = completely frozen or shut down, disconnected from yourself.
10 = overheated, overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally flooded.
4–5 = a balanced sweet spot, where you feel calm, alert, and in control.

Most of us would love to stay in that nice 4–5 zone. But between endless notifications, emails you unsubscribed from five times already, and looming work deadlines, it’s easy to climb into the 7–9 zone without realizing it.

The key step? Notice it. Bathroom camping is the perfect setting to pause, take your emotional temperature, and ask: Where am I on my emotional thermometer right now?

Once you notice, you can take action. And here’s the beauty of practice- you’ll get better at catching yourself at a “7” instead of waiting until you’ve hit a full-blown “9.”

Practical Reset Ideas

If you’re overheated (7–10): Try mindful breathing for 2 minutes. Close your eyes, inhale through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Imagine breathing through a straw to make your exhale extra slow. This helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system (your body’s calming system) and counteracts the stress response.
If you’re frozen (0–1): Play your favorite upbeat song, splash water on your face, or do a few light body movements. The goal is to gently bring yourself back online.

If you’re in the middle (4–6): Simply enjoy it! Savor the calm. Reflect on how you achieved that balance despite the chaos. Maybe even practice some gratitude.

What should you avoid? The easy screen escape (yes, your phone). I know it’s tempting to scroll Instagram while hiding out, but remember: you’re trying to stay away from quick dopamine hits. This is an opportunity for a true digital detox and intentional coping skills for anxiety.

Think Stress Breaks, Not Escapes

When I talk about stress breaks with clients, I sometimes hear, “Oh yes, I’m planning a vacation at the end of the month,” or “I need to schedule that massage.” While meditation retreats and massages can be wonderful, sustainable stress management therapy often comes from smaller, consistent breaks.

Think of bathroom camping as micro self-regulation: a moment to pause, notice how your mind and body feel, and intentionally reset before things spiral.

This comes with a note of caution: if you notice a loved one regularly disappearing for long stretches in the restroom or other “hidden spots,” it may signal they’re struggling. Breaks are healthy. Extended withdrawal is not. Sometimes, that’s when professional support—like therapy—can make a difference.

When To Take A Stress Break?

Sometimes, our minds and bodies give us subtle (or not-so-subtle) signals that it’s time to pause and reset. Recognizing these signs early allows you to take a brief micro-break or practice a coping strategy before stress escalates. Here are common indicators that a stress break may be needed:

Feeling irritable, restless, or short-tempered
Experiencing racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating
Noticing muscle tension, headaches, or physical discomfort
Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally flooded
Experiencing low energy, fatigue, or mental shutdown
Struggling with decision-making or problem-solving
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
Experiencing increased procrastination or avoidance behaviors
Feeling anxious or on edge even during routine tasks
Experiencing difficulty sleeping or racing through daily routines

What Bathroom Camping Tells Us About a Whole Generation

Confession time: if I told you I’ve never done squats in a bathroom stall, I’d be lying. So part of me is glad this trend is out in the open—it normalizes little survival tactics we’ve all been quietly doing.

While the bathroom camping trend is lighthearted and humorous, it reflects a deeper cultural reality. Our nervous systems need breaks, our minds need quiet, and our bodies need chances to reset. The fact that people are resorting to tiny (sometimes dirty!) hidden spaces to recharge shows how little room we allow for rest in our daily lives.

In other words, if bathroom camping has become your coping strategy, ask yourself: What other small shifts can I make in my routine to support my mental health?

Therapy Can Help

If you are a bathroom camper and this blog resonates with you, know that support is available. At The Sterling Group, our DC therapists work with teens, young adults, and parents navigating life changes. Whether you’re creating new coping strategies, curious about how to do a digital detox, or seeking sustainable anxiety coping skills, we can help.

We are a multicultural counseling center with multicultural therapists who provide both in-person therapy in DC and teletherapy for young adults. Together, we can build coping mechanisms that go beyond bathroom camping and help you feel more grounded this season.

FAQs: Tiny Time-Outs, Big Relief

1. Is bathroom camping really effective for stress relief?
Yes! It provides a micro-break to reset your nervous system, check in with your emotions, and practice self-care.

2. Can I use bathroom camping at work or school?
Absolutely. Short, discreet breaks in private spaces can be integrated into your day without disruption.

3. How is bathroom camping different from avoidance?
Bathroom camping is intentional and time-limited, designed to reset your mind rather than escape responsibilities.

4. What other micro-break strategies complement bathroom camping?
Mindful breathing, stretching, gratitude journaling, nature walks, and mini digital detoxes are all effective.

5. When should I seek therapy instead of relying on micro-breaks?
If anxiety, burnout, or overwhelm becomes chronic, therapy with DC therapists can help build long-term coping skills and resilience. Book a free consultation with our multicultural therapists.

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About the Author

Andrea Bernad-Barnola is the Clinical Director and a therapist at The Sterling Group, where she supports individuals and couples navigating life transitions, career shifts, and identity exploration. With extensive experience in the mental health field and a passion for living authentically, Andrea helps clients reconnect with their values, process emotional trauma, and build lives that feel aligned and meaningful. She is trained in trauma-informed modalities including TF-CBT, EMDR, and DBT, which she integrates to help clients not just heal, but thrive.

When she’s not leading her team or meeting with clients, you’ll find her dreaming up new ways to make mental health care more accessible, spending time with her husband and their rotating crew of dog-sitting companions, or planning her next adventure.

Interested in working with Andrea? Reach out to The Sterling Group for a free consultation today.

What Is “Bathroom Camping”? DC Therapists Explain the Anxiety Coping Skill Trend