Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — The term “Coma Hour” has recently become a trending term and a hot topic among Indonesian Gen Z, especially on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). This phenomenon went viral after numerous videos surfaced, showing moments when individuals appeared unfocused or seemingly “zoned out” in public spaces.
What is Coma Hour?
Coma Hour refers to a period when someone losing awareness of their actions due to overwhelmingly exhausted, mentally drained, or after having overthought situations. It’s a state of extreme mental fatigue, where a person might act on autopilot or forget to do basic things.
Common examples of Coma Hour include scenarios like someone shopping at a convenience store but walking away without their items after paying, or withdrawing money from an ATM and leaving without taking the cash or their card.
This trend has gained momentum on TikTok and X, where users share personal stories of feeling burnt out and unintentionally performing absent-minded actions during certain times of the day.
When does Coma Hour typically occur?
According to social media users Coma Hour tends to hit between 2 PM and 4 PM, or late at night. During this time, people might experience a blank stare, frequently mistype words, make mistakes in conversation, or seem disconnected in discussions. A particularly concerning sign is when someone daydreams for extended periods.
If someone exhibits these signs, it may indicate they’ve entered what’s described as the “brain freeze” phase. To combat this, many suggested to consume something sweet or take other measures to snap out of the Coma Hour state.
Gen Z Reflection of Exhaustion
While the term Coma Hour has taken off in a lighthearted way, it reflects a broader reality for many young people as a response to exhaustion brought on by the fast-paced nature of modern life. The popularity of this term among Gen Z underscores the challenges they face in maintaining a balance between their daily activities and the need for rest.
The Coma Hour phenomenon is closely tied to physical well-being, affecting daily productivity and even mental health. Its causes vary, but it’s often linked to the lifestyle and work-life pressures Gen Z experiences.
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Habit among Gen Z of overusing of technology, such as excessive social media scrolling, late-night binge-watching, or staying up just to browse TikTok, are also factors contributing to mental fatigue. The constant stream of notifications and the desire to stay connected can lead to attention overload, eventually culminating in Coma Hour.
Preventing Coma Hour
Coma Hour is not just a popular term among Gen Z, but also reflects a shift in their lifestyle toward a more dynamic and responsive approach to the need of rest and recovery.
Gen Z often lives at an incredibly fast pace, facing high social expectations in academics, careers, and personal life. The pressure to be constantly productive and successful from a young age can lead to anxiety. This relentless pace and lack of balance between work and rest lead to burnout, a state of physical and mental exhaustion that results in Coma Hour.
In essence, the term captures the mismatch between a constantly active brain and a fatigued body, causing individuals to lose focus and forget minor tasks. Therefore, this phenomenon further shows how important rest is for mental and physical health.
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle—getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and ensuring time for rest—is essential to preventing Coma Hour. As this trend highlights, the modern world’s demands on young people can take a toll, making self-care more important than ever.
(Raidi/Agung)
