On Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
Intensely full lives of professional and at-home obligations require getting a good night’s sleep. Yet many of us are blowing past our bedtimes in favour of scrolling to the ends of Instagram. Is this our secret way of ‘getting back’ at the crazy demands of our employers and pressures of modern life?
Have you ever laid in bed, scrolling through your phone or reading a book wayyyy too late on a worknight, even though you knew it was bad for you?
There’s a term for that. It’s called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination. And it is emblematic of our hyper-connected, demanding, modern lives.
In fact, some have even called it a sleep disorder.
The pattern of breezing past your intended bedtime each night to do nothing in particular might be very familiar to some.
It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of organizational skills. In fact, many people who do this are extremely capable working professionals with more than enough skills to set and execute a bedtime routine.
With roots in the Dutch and Chinese vernacular, writer Daphne K. Lee introduced it to us English speakers on Twitter as "a phenomenon in which people who don't have much control over their daytime life refuse to sleep early in order to regain some sense of freedom during late night hours."
The poignant use of the word “revenge” is the key here. It’s presence illustrates that this is a deliberate act of rebellion. It’s taking back some personal time.
Anatomy of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
So what is revenge bedtime procrastination? We’re not talking about staying awake to do highly productive activities. The procrastination activities themselves are primarily low-demand and self-indulgent in nature. For example scrolling to the ends of Instagram and Reddit, playing Fortnite, or finishing that fantasy novel.
Have you done this?
This stands in stark contrast to the rest of the day. Increasingly long pandemic days are marred with hyper-connectivity (except when Zoom isn’t working), kids at home, working out from home, and no boundaries in between. Procrastinating bedtime is about clawing back some time for you.
The sentiment might also be about stealing time back from one’s employer. Resentment about the pressure to do more, achieve more, and be accessible all the time leaves a slim margin for unstructured, unpressured free time. Something’s gotta give. And for many professionals, it’s sleep that takes the hit.
Maybe not the best plan for well-being
The problem: mindless scrolling doesn’t necessarily reduce stress, it can create more stress through poor mental health outcomes on social media including depression and anxiety. Is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination doing more harm than good?
What About Sleep?
According to some reports, half of the world gets less sleep than they need, and four out of five people rely on weekends to make up the difference. The impacts of sleep deprivation are slower cognitive functioning (foggy thinking), poor attention span or memory, moodiness, and lack of energy. It has also been linked to chronic ailments like mental health disorders, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Self-Identity and Me Time is Also Important
On the flip side are our psychological needs. As humans we have fundamental needs and that list includes self-esteem and self-actualization. Knowing and understanding who we are is an important part of wellness. People can affirm their self-identities through leisure activities – that is, in any way they choose that feels meaningful to them. This may be the root of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination – a day chalked full of activities that aren’t you. Activities that have you wearing a mask to fit in and to survive. A bit of idle time into the night can be an important way to just be you without having to be that something else all day, every day.
You Are The Captain
You are the best judge of what you need more – me time or sleep. Just make sure to make a conscious choice and understand the choice has consequences for your health. Take time to think about what you can take control of to allow for leisure time or more sleep, don’t just be a victim of the environment. Most importantly, be you. Life is better with a you out there.
With love,
