Procrastination is something that everyone has experienced in their lives, whether you’ve witnessed it or done it yourself. It’s also well known that procrastination happens with tasks that aren’t fun to do: house chores, work projects, basic daily needs, and more. What many people don’t realize is that procrastination can even affect sleep routines. Yes, procrastinating on going to bed has become popular in recent years, and it shows – about one in every three adults in the U.S. have reported not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. This blog will give you a breakdown on revenge sleep procrastination and how to minimize it in your life.
Recap: Procrastination
As a reminder, procrastination is when someone delays or postpones something that should be done. However, it does get done in the nick of time. Many people misinterpret procrastination as laziness, but procrastination is the desire to delay the stress or frustration that may come from said tasks or activities: laziness is related to idleness, or being unwilling do something at all.
How Does Sleep Come Into It?
Revenge sleep procrastination is when you would rather sacrifice your sleep to partake in activities that you don’t have time for during the day. You stay up later than usual to partake or complete these activities, causing you to lose sleep overall. The most common activities include gaming, watching TV, reading, or scrolling on social media. If you find yourself saying, Just one more episode, or even, I can finish this really quick, then you may be a revenge sleeper.
Revenge sleep procrastination has become popular with this century’s technology innovations and the growing ‘fear of missing out’. Some common behaviors of revenge sleepers include:
Revenge on What, Though?
Revenge is a strong word for delaying your bedtime, but it does accurately represent the seriousness of this issue. The word revenge is not directed toward the sleep that’s lost, but rather against your day and the stresses that came from it. Revenge refers to the idea that you are forcing yourself to enjoy what is left of your day by staying awake for it. You might feel a regained sense of freedom by staying up late and trying to enjoy your well-deserved ‘free time’. If you have a job with a lot of daytime stress or tend to procrastinate on a regular basis, you’re more likely to suffer from revenge sleep procrastination.
How Does it Affect Me?
The most obvious effect of revenge sleep procrastination is not getting enough sleep, but there are other underlying problems that can arise. If you stay up late and don’t get enough quality sleep, this can lead you to being tired the next day. People that tend to be tired carry more stress throughout the day (and being tired can also cause you to miss out on activities that you would have normally done if you were more awake). When you get home, you might regret missing those activities, and force yourself to do them; this would push your bedtime late again, forcing you into an endless cycle of sleep deprivation and stress. Here are some common symptoms that come from a lack of sleep:
How Can I Prevent It?
Setting up a bedtime routine is one of the best defenses for revenge sleep procrastination, as well as having a peaceful sleep environment. A bedtime routine will help your body and mind understand that it’s time to lay down for the night. These include:
Creating a quiet and peaceful sleep environment is an important step when combatting sleep procrastination. Having a bedroom where you feel safe, warm, and comfy will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Dimmable lights, humidifiers or diffusers, and weighted blankets are some good examples of items to keep in your bedroom for a calming effect. Lastly, your bedroom should be a place where you only sleep. If you work, watch TV, or play video games in your bedroom, you might subconsciously wire your brain to associate your bedroom with things that keep you awake. Only using your bedroom for sleeping will train your brain to associate your bedroom with bedtime.
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If balancing your work time, leisure time, and sleep time is an issue, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to manage your time and prioritize your activities throughout the day. Here are a few examples:
Let’s Review
Don’t lose sleep when you can have quality rest for a better tomorrow! Remember, there is enough time in the day for all your goals and activities. A little time management and a consistent bedtime routine can help you prioritize your time and enjoy your best sleep. Don’t delay: dream away!
