EXCERPT:
Why is bedtime revenge bad for our health?
Though many people hyperfocus on eating well and exercising, sleep is critical to feeling and being well. When we suffer from sleep deprivation, it fundamentally changes our brains since we aren’t giving it the time it needs to rest and rejuvenate, explains psychologist Dr. Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D. “Bedtime revenge can adversely affect your ability to think, concentrate, focus and make decisions,” she says. “It can also impair your emotional state, causing you to be irritable, cranky, impatient, stressed, moody and depressed.”
If you make bedtime revenge a habit, it can become even more problematic and damaging. Over time, it can make you more susceptible to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and a weaker immune system, Dr. Thomas adds.
How can we combat revenge bedtime procrastination?
To reverse the negative impact of sleeplessness, consider making lifestyle changes. These will help you combat bedtime revenge and create a more balanced routine that leads to deeper, healthier sleep.
Prioritize self-care during the day.
While many people think about ‘self-care’ as taking a bath or having an hour to yourself to recharge, it can really be anything. And what’s great about ‘me time’ is that you can decide what it is, what you need, and — most importantly — how to make it make sense with your schedule. However, as Dr. Thomas reminds, it does require a conscious effort to block your calendar. Maybe it’s 30 minutes in the afternoon where you take a walk. Or a simple ten minutes to step away from your desk, go outside in the fresh air, and listen to a podcast. Whatever will give you the mindfulness you need, make it a priority.
Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D. is a top-rated Los Angeles Psychologist. To read the full article “Are You Suffering From Revenge Bedtime Procrastination? Here’s How To Fight It” visit edit.sundayriley.com