What is revenge bedtime procrastination and signs you are indulging in it
…is your hectic lifestyle to blame?
Have you ever woken up in the morning, feeling grumpy and regretting your late night movie marathon? Do you wonder why you keep scrolling mindlessly on IG, watching reels like it pays your rent and not the day job you have? If you tend to delay sleeping while being fully aware that there is not enough caffeine in this world to make you feel energised the next day on such little rest, you have a problem.
Revenge bedtime procrastination is a phenomenon that has become increasingly common in our busy and overworked lives. It's a term used to describe the tendency to stay up late, even when we know it's not in our best interest, as a way to reclaim some personal time after a long day.
I often find myself guilty of staying up late, even though I know I shouldn’t, but my mind refuses to sleep if I have had no time to myself during the day. I used to wonder, if on a particular day, I stayed back late and worked extra hard, I should feel tired and fall asleep as soon as I reach home, right? Except the moment I fling my bra off, get my dinner, and get to watching something, I feel a sudden burst of energy. I want to sleep but I also don’t want to.
Revenge bedtime procrastination can have negative consequences on our health and well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of issues including fatigue, mood swings, and decreased cognitive function.
Despite being aware of the potential risks, many of us continue to engage in revenge bedtime procrastination. It's a behaviour driven by a combination of a desire for autonomy, a need for downtime, and an addiction to technology.
Here are signs that you may be experiencing revenge bedtime procrastination.
Difficulty falling asleep
They say, to fix your sleep cycle you must deprive yourself of slumber all day long. That way, by the time it is night, you will be ready to fall asleep in no time. But this trick doesn’t work on you. Somehow, after a busy day, your soul livens up at night and you want to make the most of the hours you have to yourself. Even though you may be physically tired, your mind is still active and engaged, making it hard to switch off and relax.
You don’t feel at peace without some ‘me time’ at night
If you find yourself staying up late into the night, even when you know you have to be up early, it could be a sign of revenge bedtime procrastination. You may feel like you need that extra time to unwind and do things that you enjoy, but it's important to remember that sacrificing sleep can have adverse effects on your health.
Using technology before bed
Another sign of revenge bedtime procrastination is using technology, such as your smartphone or tablet, before bed. The blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt your sleep patterns and make it harder to fall asleep. If you find yourself scrolling through social media or watching videos on your phone late into the night, you're engaging in revenge bedtime procrastination.
Difficulty waking up in the morning
If you struggle to wake up in the morning and find yourself hitting the snooze button multiple times, it could be a sign you're not getting enough sleep. It's important to remember that sleep sacrificing sleep for personal time at night can have negative consequences.