Revenge Bedtime Procrastination is a phenomenon in which people put off going to sleep to engage in activities that they don’t have time for during the day. Essentially, people who do not have much control over their day time life would refuse to sleep early in order to regain some sense of freedom during late night hours.
I most definitely engage in revenge bedtime procrastination.
The late hours are my precious hours. It’s quiet, peaceful, nobody is calling for me, my responsibilities are asleep, and I can do whatever I want and feel however I want. I spend many nights/early mornings watching films, binging shows, crocheting, and on social media. During these hours, I didn’t have to be a student, a part-time employee, or a family member. I believed the control and freedom I felt was completely worth the expense of sleep. But once the day hit, my late hour activities did not help me endure my lack of sleep.
“Revenge” is the crucial descriptor that differentiates this phenomenon. Not all procrastinations of going to bed refer to this circumstance. Some procrastinations can be staying up late partying with friends. In this sense, you’re making a good deal with yourself where the fun becomes worth the suffering you endure later. But revenge procrastination doesn’t compensate for the exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It might feel like soothing yourself, but you’re actually “punishing” yourself.
Be aware, revenge bedtime procrastination as a regular habit can hurt your ability to function during the days and effect your physical/mental health over time. The potential negative effects include anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, high blood pressure, weakened immunity, weight gain, and/or worse memory.
It is important for your body and mentality to prioritize your sleep. Assess your schedules, schedule time for yourself, and/or create a nighttime routine.
Unruly Bodies 
I really love this post you wrote! Sacrificing our sleep for the freedom we lose during the day as we fulfill our daily roles and responsibilities is an eye-opening statement. It really made me reflect why I have been going to bed so late these past few weeks during midterm season. It feels like there is never enough hours in the day to complete everything I want to do, it’s always go to class, go to work, do homework, clean, and sleep. When I don’t finish my to do list, I subconsciously punish myself by not sleeping until it’s all done just as you wrote about. I didn’t know there was a term for it, but I’m glad you shared it.
It’s also made me realize that it is definitely getting late and I should sleep soon as i finish writing my comment.
I do this to myself a lot, and it’s a very hard habit to break especially when paired with regular ol’ insomnia. It’s bad enough sometimes I really can’t fall asleep but when I’m not even trying, what am I doing to myself? It’s hard when we sometimes overload ourselves with things to do during the day to feel productive, successful and worthy of our existence, but I think this is a great reminder that doing that means we have to find our down time somewhere else, and it creates an unhealthy cycle.
Thank you for this very relatable post. As a student I participate in this a lot, although i did not know the phenomenon had such as name, and i definitely agree that the toll it takes in the long run isnt really worth it.