13/07/2021
Finding yourself endlessly scrolling or binging late at night? You might experience something that’s known as "Revenge Bedtime Procrastination”. Okay, so what is it?
The term "Bedtime Procrastination" was first coined in 2014 by researchers at Utrecht University here in The Netherlands (Dr Floor Kroese).
It's defined as "failing to go to bed at the intended time, while no external circumstances prevent a person from doing so”.
Okay, so what about the revenge part?
In 2016 the Chinese phrase "報復性熬夜” started to circulate on social media in China, which basically means "staying up late revengefully". It went viral last summer when a reporter from New York tweeted about it. Because as it turns out, lots of people find it highly relatable.
Basically it’s a way to regain control of your own time - and by extension; your own life - after you’ve had a full day without feeling much control. Be it as a student, an employee, an entrepreneur, or a parent. Ring a bell?
By delaying our bedtime we take revenge of the “lost hours” during the day. Leading to sleep deprivation, which can result in a whole bunch of negative health issues.
So, what’s the solution then? More sleep? Well yes, that will help. But to me that doesn’t seem like a real solution; it doesn’t tackle the root cause of the revenge bedtime procrastination. What does, is taking control of your daytime life, and therefore eliminating the need for revenge. Make your daytime life so fulfilling and interesting and fun, that you feel in control of your own time and your own decisions.
Not sure how to do that or where to start? Shoot me a message we’ll go from there ➶
