“Five more minutes” is a phrase countless high schoolers can relate to. Many struggle with delaying sleep schedules daily, whether desperate to stay up later or stay asleep longer in the morning.

Many people go to bed later because of a phenomenon called “revenge bedtime procrastination.” The phrase became popularized after growing usage in social media, where many could associate strenuous schedules with delaying sleep. Journalist Daphne K. Lee, who coined the phrase, defines it as how “people who don’t have much control over their daytime life refuse to sleep early to regain some sense of freedom during late-night hours.” 

In other words, it is a coping mechanism for people to regain their free will that is lost to the busyness of modern life. Although initially it may bring relief, reverse bedtime procrastination only aggravates daily stress by increasing exhaustion and inefficiency. Additionally, by inferring that going to bed later leads to waking up later, the method leads to a vicious cycle of further delaying your sleep schedule. 

As high schoolers, many of us can relate. We all follow packed schedules, juggling the academic day, co-curriculars, and meetings, if not more. I’ve been guilty of staying up too late, scrolling on my phone to give myself the free time I deserve. However, the short-term benefits quickly fade, and the long-term disadvantages take over. Waking up and going about my day only feels more brutal the next day, and with inadequate focus, I lose more free time, which I earn back by losing more sleep. 

So, what can we do to prevent this cycle? According to Harvard Sleep Medicine, general ways to improve your sleep include establishing a regular sleep time, avoiding caffeine and naps during the afternoon, and creating a routine before bed, especially avoiding screens. 

Since revenge bedtime procrastination is not medically recognized yet, there are no official ways to battle it, but here are some ways to help: acknowledge the necessity of sleep and the consequences of sacrificing rest, take short yet dedicated breaks throughout the day to do activities you enjoy instead of cramming a long period of free time at night, and avoid procrastination and focus on productivity to create more free time for yourself. 

High school is challenging, with an overwhelming number of responsibilities. However, always care for your body, especially when balancing work and rest.