18/03/2025
Overcoming revenge bedtime procrastination requires a combination of mindset shifts, practical strategies, and improving your sleep hygiene.
1. Set Boundaries for Your Evening Routine: Limit work or productivity in the evening: Try to finish all work-related tasks or stressful activities before a certain time, allowing yourself to unwind without feeling guilty about unfinished business.
2. Establish a "no screens" rule 30-60 minutes before bed: Avoid using your phone, computer, or watching TV to help your brain wind down and promote better sleep.
3. Prioritize Your Time During the Day: Make sure you're setting aside time for relaxation or self-care throughout the day, not just in the evening. If you feel like you're "stealing" time from bedtime to relax, try incorporating short breaks or activities during the day that give you moments of reprieve...
4. Use the bed for sleep: Try not to use your bed for other activities (like watching TV or working), so your body associates it strictly with sleep.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Overcoming revenge bedtime procrastination takes time. If you slip up and stay up late occasionally, don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, reflect on why it happened and how you can address it next time.
By applying these strategies and being consistent, you'll gradually shift your mindset and habits toward healthier sleep patterns.
While these strategies help, they assume a level of autonomy many don’t have. People in demanding jobs, caregiving roles, or stressful environments may lack control over their schedules, making structured routines difficult. Socioeconomic factors, workplace exploitation, and limited access to mental health support also impact sleep patterns.
References:
Exelmans, L., & Scott, H. (2019). Social media use and sleep quality: The role of bedtime procrastination. Journal of Sleep Research, 28(6), e12820.
Grandner, M. A., Williams, N. J., Knutson, K. L., Roberts, D., & Jean-Louis, G. (2021). Sleep disparity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic position. Sleep Medicine, 18(1), 7-18.
Knutson, K. L. (2015). Sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. Best Practice & Research Clinical.