Rest isn’t lazy: reclaiming sleep in a culture that never stops

Tired? If you are, you’re not alone. A new study found that a majority of Americans are delaying going to sleep to have more personal time. The study, in which Amerisleep analyzed 1,000 Americans’ bedtime habits, found that:

• Over half of Americans (56%) report their daily routines don't allow enough time for leisure activities.

• 51% of Americans deliberately delay bedtime to reclaim control over their time despite knowing the health implications. This phenomenon is known as “revenge bedtime procrastination,” when a person stays up late despite being tired in order to regain personal time. Countries with work-centric cultures like Japan, South Korea, and increasingly the United States report higher rates of this.

• Half of America’s adults stay up late scrolling on their phones when they should be sleeping.

The percentage of respondents staying up late was inversely related to how old the respondent was. Baby Boomers’ average bedtime was 11 p.m. For Gen X, it was 11:30 p.m. Millennials’ most common bedtime was 12 a.m. For Gen Z, it was 12:30 a.m. Gen Zers also admitted to delaying sleep beyond their intended bedtime an average of four nights per week.

Although it is tempting to stay up late to watch one more video or read just one more chapter – I have been there plenty of times – we have to ask ourselves, at what cost?

On a practical level, while scrolling and watching a funny or intriguing video may provide a dopamine hit in the moment, it’s most likely not going to enrich you as person. And seeing what everyone else is up to online is not going to give you more joy or add to your sense of purpose.

But also quantitatively speaking, sleep deprivation has measurable consequences, including higher levels of burnout. People who sleep six hours or less per night report significantly higher burnout rates. The data shows 48% of short sleepers experience high burnout levels, significantly higher than the 34% of people who sleep seven or more hours nightly. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to a host of health issues, like mood changes, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, a weakened immune system, and the exacerbation of existing conditions like anxiety and depression.

Although most of us are aware of the negative impacts of too little sleep, the survey suggests that putting off sleep is less about us not understanding the value of sleep and more about us trying to regain control of our time in an always-on, productivity-driven culture.

“This research highlights a critical societal challenge: our collective struggle to balance productivity demands with personal well-being,” writes Rosie Osmun, certified sleep coach for Amerisleep. “The prevalence of revenge bedtime procrastination across demographics and industries signals a need for broader conversations about work-life balance, screen time management, and the value we place on rest.

“Breaking this cycle requires both individual strategies and cultural shifts. Employers could consider workplace policies that ensure employees have sufficient personal time during the day. Meanwhile, individuals might benefit from creating intentional evening routines that provide meaningful downtime without compromising sleep.

“As we navigate increasingly demanding lives, finding sustainable ways to reclaim personal time without sacrificing sleep will be essential for our collective well-being. The data suggests that while staying up late might feel like a victory in the moment, the true freedom comes from creating daily schedules that honor both our need for personal time and our physical requirement for adequate rest.”

Well said. It should not be an either/or scenario in which a person has to choose between getting enough sleep or having a personal life. That being said, there are seasons of life where a person might just have to grind and get through it, such as going through medical school or parenting an infant (you’re likely not going to get a ton of sleep). However, seasons are just that – seasons. They shouldn’t be the overarching pattern of a person’s life.

I also would add that you might not be able to change your work culture, depending on what industry you are in and what the management is like. Osmun cited the five industries most often reporting a lack of personal time as legal/law, hospitality, healthcare, government/public sector, and retail. If your work culture is not going to change, you have a decision to make. You can either look for a different job or, at the very least, choose to guard your own time and prioritize your own health and wellbeing over work. Also, some of us need to reframe rest as a necessity, not an option. Dr. Gladys McGarey, the 103-year-old I quoted in last week’s column, said, “Taking a rest is not being lazy. You’re doing something. You’re taking a rest.” In other words, it’s not selfish to refill your cup so you actually have something to pour out for other people.

And, rest is not only about restoring our physical bodies, but it also has to do with the mental load we choose to take on. Oftentimes we shoulder burdens we were never meant to bear alone. Rest requires sharing those burdens, whether through prayer or talking it over with a friend, so we are free to relax and be at peace.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen “Every person needs to take one day away – a day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – Maya Angelou.

Have a restful week ahead!

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