More than two-thirds of British adults regularly sacrifice sleep for personal time, a phenomenon psychologists have dubbed 'revenge bedtime procrastination'. The term, which originated in China, describes the behaviour of people who delay sleep to reclaim a sense of freedom after long, demanding workdays.
Recent data from the 2019 Phillips Global Sleep Survey shows 62% of adults worldwide feel they do not get enough sleep, averaging 6.8 hours on weeknights against the recommended eight. In the UK, the trend is particularly pronounced among younger workers, with many citing a lack of control over their daytime schedules as the driving force.
Dr Ciara Kelly, a work psychology lecturer at Sheffield University, explains that modern working patterns blur the boundaries between professional and personal life. 'Emails and instant messaging mean employers can always be in touch, making it feel like we are always at work,' she says. This encroachment leads workers to stay up late as a form of rebellion, even when they know it harms their health.
The phenomenon is not limited to China, where it first gained attention. A 2018 Chinese national survey found 60% of people born after 1990 were sleep-deprived, with those in big cities worst affected. However, experts warn that revenge bedtime procrastination is a global issue, exacerbated by long hours and the pressure to be constantly available.
Despite the known health risks, many Britons continue to prioritise 'me time' over sleep. As one anonymous respondent put it: 'I really need that time. I want to be healthy, but they stole my time. I want to steal back my time.' The challenge, say psychologists, is finding a balance that does not compromise wellbeing.
