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- March 19, 2021
Part 1 of Our Science Series | Learn about why sleep matters and how poor sleep can affect your physical health, mental health, and productivity. Learn the causes behind insomnia.
After a busy day of working or dealing with the kids, do you ever stay up late at night just to get some “me” time instead of going to sleep? If so, you may be in the habit of doing what’s called revenge bedtime procrastination or simply sleep procrastination.
Revenge bedtime procrastination was first introduced in aย research paperย from 2014, but the Chinese added the word โrevengeโ to explain people who often stay up late as a way to take back their free time after working 12-hour shifts. Rather than going to sleep at a reasonable hour, you try to get โrevengeโ for your busy schedule.
The good news is that if this sounds like you, we have tips for you to learn how to recognize and overcome it.
First, you must understand that staying up late doesnโt automatically signal revenge sleep procrastination. According to researchers, there areย three key factorsย to watch for, including:
It can affect people in different ways, depending on their unique situation and their reason for staying up late. For instance, parents with young children may decide to stay up late and focus on what they want to do when they donโt have to worry about their kids. Others with hectic schedules will lie on the couch and binge-watch TV because itโs the only time they can completely relax.
The mostย common activitiesย people use for revenge bedtime procrastination are online shopping, watching streaming services, scrolling through social media, or even reading.
Researchers have aย couple of theoriesย as to why certain people avoid sleep for additional free time. It may be that you are a night owl living an early birdโs life, or even that you simply look for ways to relieve stress after a long day. And then there are the people who just procrastinate, meaning they frequently put off important tasks.
Some studies also show that sleep procrastination may be due to a lack of self-control, as many people have less of it after a long day. As you can see, revenge sleep procrastination can stem from various reasons, so it can be different for everyone.
When you consistently go without an adequate amount of sleep, you put yourself at risk of developing sleep deprivation. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep at night, but children and young adults need more than that.
And what many people donโt realize is that a lack of sleep can affect everything from relationships and your job performance to how safely you drive. Aside from feeling exhausted, you may alsoย experience symptomsย such as:
But thatโs just in the short term. Over time, sleep deprivation can increase your risk of developing more severe health problems such as:
And sadly enough, sleep deprivation may even increase your odds of dying early.
One of the best remedies for bedtime procrastination isย creating healthy bedtime habits, which include sleep hygiene and creating an environment conducive to rest. Itโs also worth mentioning that creating good sleep patterns does not happen overnight, so donโt give up after only a night or two.
Creating routines and following them is the best way to make the behaviors a habit. When you get to this level, youโll realize that your bedtime ritual is automatic, which reduces the urge to stay up late.
In general, we suggest you try the following positive sleep habits:
You can also try one of many relaxation techniques that work well for others. These include gently stretching, reading a book or magazine, or meditating. These techniques are great for also decreasing the stress that leads to revenge bedtime procrastination!
The other crucial step that will help is transforming your bedroom area into a quiet and relaxing zone that has a comfortable bed and soft bedding to make sleep more appealing. In fact, some experts believe that creating a sleep space thatโs inviting enough can counteract the desire to procrastinate bedtime for more exciting activities.
Some tips for priming your bedroom for sleep include turning your HVAC down to between 66 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dimming or turning out lights, powering down every device with a screen, and using a white noise machine to mask unwanted external noises.
Donโt live life relying on caffeine and sugar to get you through. Follow our tips above to create healthy bedtime habits and consider combining them with help from aย natural sleep aidย such as melatonin.
If you find that your sleeping troubles are not getting any better or are affecting your daytime schedule, either consult a sleep doctor orย signup up for our personalized sleep improvement program. Either way, getting enough sleep every night is vital for your overall health, so donโt procrastinate; find other times for your outlets!
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