Do you stay up at night and scroll through your phone or binge watch Netflix, knowing full well that you should be going to sleep instead?!
Well you are not alone, and now science has proven this is actually a thing!
It’s called “Revenge Bedtime Procrastination�?.
What is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination (RBP)? Well it’s the act of putting off bedtime so that we can engage in activities that we didn’t get to do in the daytime. In a sense, we are looking for a sense of freedom after a long hard day.
People most likely to engage in RBP are those who have busy schedules, such as moms, students, or those working long hours. The more stressed we are in the day, the more likely we are to stay up later. It’s our feeble attempt to get in some “me time�? before the day is done.
What we don’t realize is that when we are sleep deprived, it sets off a chain of events that make us less productive and more stressed the following day, creating a cycle that’s hard to break! Unfortunately, we take sleep for granted!
When we are well rested, we are better at managing our:
😎 food choices,
😎 portion sizes,
😎 have better energy,
😎 better mood, are
😎 more likely to exercise,
😎 be more successful with weight loss,
😎 have better hormonal balance and
😎 overall feel better about ourselves!
…and that’s why sleep is one of the 6 foundational pillars we focus on in the Hello Nutrition Coaching Program!
Listen, Netflix knows our weakness and gives us less than a minute to turn the TV off before starting the next episode! Don’t let Netflix get the best of you!
So how do we break the cycle of RBP? Here are some of my top tips:
- Set a bedtime for yourself, and stick to it.
- Don’t take electronic devices into your bedroom, or keep them far away from your bed.
- Start gratitude journaling. Focusing on the positives around us can make us feel more grounded and in control.
- Make a ‘to-do’ list and check things off. It keeps you organized and feels so good to accomplish things!
- Re-evaluate your commitments. Take some time in the day to de-stress. It could be talking to your spouse about a 15 minute break away from the kids, where you get to be alone with your thoughts. Or speaking to your boss about having a better work-life balance (a hard shut off for work).
Here’s your motivation: Imagine waking up fresh and ready to start your day.Imagine how productive you could be if you had full energy that lasted throughout the day! Imagine how your mood would change…would you be more patient with your spouse or your kids?
Habits are hard to break, but the result is a better version of YOU!
Your nutrition BFF,
Anisha Gupta, Registered Dietitian & Nutrition Coach
P.S. If you’re tired of living this way and want more 1:1 support, motivation, and accountability, I’d love to start a conversation with you! Let’s chat over a FREE 30 minute Discovery Call. Simply complete the application form, and I’ll be in touch to book your call 💕
