arootahimg    arootahimg

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

facebook  instagram  twitter  linkedin  pinterest

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

youtube

Blog > How to Stop Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

How to Stop Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

Break free from counterproductive sleep habits with these five strategies
How to Stop Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

Did you enjoy this post? Share it with your network to spread these insider tips! Click a social icon and tag us @ArootahCoach

We’ve all done it: we’re endlessly scrolling through social media or watching Netflix even though we’ve promised ourselves a good night’s sleep when, suddenly, it’s 2AM. So why do we do this to ourselves? 

We may be committing revenge bedtime procrastination. When we have overwhelming demands from work, school, or family that leave us with little time for ourselves, staying up late becomes an act of rebellion and a means to reclaim personal time and control. Paradoxically, however, what may feel like a stress-reliever in the short term—those extra moments of freedom at night—can exacerbate stress and strain in the long run. 

Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to de-stress well before bedtime and break free from this counterproductive habit. 

The Negative Impacts of Staying Up Late

Sleep has a significant influence over your mental and physical well-being. When you’re sleep-deprived, your judgment can become impaired, leading to unhealthy eating habits, heightened feelings of depression and anxiety, and a decrease in productivity.  

Consistently inadequate sleep can open the door to a host of serious health issues, including high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, infertility, and strokes. Furthermore, it can accelerate the aging process, leading us to develop sallow skin, under-eye puffiness, and fine lines.  

Because we may not experience the impact of sleep deprivation immediately, we often don’t give it the attention it deserves. Yet, it’s vital to remember that health is a finite resource so the time to protect it is now. 

4 Strategies to Stop Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

If you’re slacking on sleep due to a bad habit of revenge bedtime procrastination, there are several strategies you can use to break this cycle.  

1. Embrace Work-Life Harmony

While work and life might initially appear as distinct from one another, their synergy is crucial. Ensure you harmoniously integrate your work and personal life by dedicating time to at least one personal interest each day. For instance, use your lunch break to participate in a rejuvenating yoga class or take a refreshing walk. 

Recognize that you can’t do it all, but that you can prioritize tasks that align with your goals and values, including activities that bring you joy. By incorporating moments of enjoyment into your daily routine, you’ll reduce the feeling of ‘me time’ deprivation you might otherwise experience at the end of the day. 

2. Reduce Your Evening Screen Time

Screen time before bed can sabotage your rest. Take charge of your evening routine by setting your morning alarm earlier in the day or utilizing voice-activated assistants, such as Google Home or Alexa, to manage your phone use before bedtime. Employ a secondary alarm an hour prior to sleep to remind you to disconnect from screens. 

Additionally, activate night mode on your devices during evening hours to limit your exposure to blue light, which can interfere with melatonin production and disrupt your circadian rhythm.  

Keep your phone out of arm’s reach and remove the TV from your bedroom to minimize distractions, making it easier to avoid the temptation to engage with screens.  

Get actionable tips to help you energize and reprioritize self-care. Sign up for The Wellness Return newsletter today.

By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from Arootah
 

3. Pay Attention to What You Eat Before Bed

Steer clear of caffeine and sugary foods close to bedtime. Some people may even need to avoid caffeine after 2PM since this stimulant can disrupt the mind’s ability to remain calm. 

Additionally, fried foods and heavy meals can negatively impact your digestive system, making it challenging for you to get restful sleep. Whenever possible, aim to eat your last meal a few hours before bedtime. If you find yourself craving a nighttime snack, opt for cherries, which contain melatonin 

Incorporating magnesium-rich foods into your diet can also give you a more restful night’s sleep because magnesium binds to GABA receptors in the brain and creates a calming effect akin to a sleeping pill. Consider eating bananas, almonds, leafy greens, and salmon during the day to enhance your sleep quality at night.  

4. Adhere to a Bedtime and Winddown Routine

You probably already know that effective time management hinges on a well-structured schedule, but have you considered extending this principle to your post-business hours? Treat your bedtime as a non-negotiable deadline in your schedule that merits your utmost respect.  

Respecting your bedtime may mean setting an alarm to signal the start of your winddown routine which could encompass activities like meditating, journaling, or delving into a good book. Consistency is key in maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, as frequent repetition of new sleep behaviors gradually transforms them into ingrained habits. 

The Bottom Line

Neglecting sleep can profoundly affect your well-being, negatively impacting both your mental and physical health. By establishing these healthy habits, you can successfully combat revenge bedtime procrastination and lay the foundation for a more fulfilling and restful life. 

Struggling to cultivate positive sleep habits? Sign up for our habit tracking app, to easily build and eradicate habits for a more fulfilling life.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be taken as professional medical, psychological, legal, investment, financial, accounting, or tax advice. Arootah does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read in our newsletter, blog or anywhere else on our website.

Tags:  Sleep
Subscribe
Notify of

What are your thoughts?

Leave a comment with your thoughts, questions, compliments, and frustrations. We love to socialize in a constructive, positive way.

Are You Human?

 
Please verify.
Validation complete 🙂
Validation failed 🙁

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments