Why "Touch Grass" Is the Ultimate Gen Z Burn (And How to Actually Do It)

June 13, 2025

The Rise of the Ultimate Digital Diss

"Touch grass" started as a gamer insult but became Gen Z's favorite way to call out chronically online behavior.

It's the perfect hybrid of sarcasm and concern - wrapped in three syllables.

Unlike older internet slang ("OK boomer"), "touch grass" works because it's:

1. Visceral (we all know that stale indoor air feeling)

2. Actionable (the cure is literally outside)

3. Universally relatable (we've all been the grass-needer at some point)

Researchers found just 20 minutes in nature lowers cortisol levels by 21%.

Meanwhile, the average Zoomer spends 7+ hours daily staring at screens.

Maybe the meme lords were onto something.

• Start with "microdosing" - 5 minutes barefoot in your backyard counts

• Turn a doomscroll session into a "tree-staring" session (same posture, better view)

• Pair outdoor time with something you already love, like listening to podcasts

For those committed to the bit (but still want to look cool doing it):

- A water bottle that doesn't look like gym bro merch

- Shoes you can actually walk in (RIP Balenciaga crocs)

- One of those aesthetic hoodies that transitions from coffee run to hiking trail

The funniest part? Some hardcore gamers now stream "touch grass challenges."

Viewers watch them... stay indoors... watching someone else go outside.

We've reached peak meta.

Next time someone tells you to touch grass, surprise them by actually doing it.

Then come back and roast them for having a sadder screen time report than yours.

That's what we call character development.