Sleep procrastination might sound like a weird term-after all, who would want to procrastinate something as lovely as sleep? But the truth is, many of us do. So why do we keep doing it-and how can we stop? We talked to the experts to find out.
What is Sleep Procrastination?
Sleep procrastination is the decision to put off going to bed when there’s no external reason to
- It can take the form of a few minutes or several hours
- While isolated incidents may leave you feeling tired the next day, over time, they can contribute to sleep deprivation
Dos and don’ts of sleep hygiene for less sleep procrastination
Keep your bedroom reserved for sleep and sex only
- If stress is keeping you up at night, take steps to minimize your worries before climbing in bed at night
- Stay within one hour of your usual bedtime and wake-up time whenever possible
- Consistency is key
- Sleep specialists recommend that you keep a consistent sleep schedule even on weekends and holidays
We know sleep procrastination is bad-so why do we keep doing it?
Temptations like Instagram and Netflix keep us from getting a good night’s sleep
- If you are not finding time to yourself during the day, you may not feel fulfilled and will want to reclaim that time during the night, after all of your obligations are complete
- Sleep procrastinators tend to fall into 2 categories: busy people who need a little more free time and overachievers who sacrifice sleep to keep working
Stop procrastinating and (finally) go to sleep
Have a set bedtime and wake-up time that you stick to
- Set boundaries around screen time
- End screen time at least one hour before bedtime
- Make up a bedtime routine you can follow every night
- Read, meditate, journal, stretch, listen to some relaxing music, or engage in some other low-energy activity you love
