LOSING SLEEP

Staying awake late into the night because it’s the only way you can have some me-time? You’re not alone

- DENNIS CAVERNELIS

OUR spouse is asleep, the kids are in dreamland, the work emails have finally stopped, and you’re in a state of bliss. Then, halfway into your midnight binge session, Netflix interrupts to ask, “Are you still watching?”

Yes, thank you, Netflix, of course we’re still watching. And yes, we know it’s 1.30am and we must be up for the school run in a few hours. But really, when else are we going to have any me-time?

Work pressure is ramping up as we try to finish tasks before the holidays. The kids are writing exams and having to hand in final projects. Then there’s the parent-teacher meeting, the budget planning, the Christmas shopping . . .

So why not make the most of that precious uninterrupted time when everyone else has conked out to catch up on the things that are just for you?

If this situation sounds familiar, you could be one of an increasing number of people losing out on precious sleep because that’s pretty much the only time you have for yourself.

There’s even a term for it: revenge sleep procrastination.

And on who or on what are you taking revenge exactly? Those pesky daylight hours that don’t afford you any peace and quiet or a moment to yourself.

It’s not just TV that keeps us up at night. It’s social media scrolling, reading, crafting, pottering around the house – anything that keeps you from sleeping, really.