Navigating Night: Behavioral Economics Strategies to Improve Sleep Patterns Among College Students

Abstract

In contemporary society, the rapid pace of life and increasing pressures have led many young people to experience a significant scarcity of time, often referred to as time drought or time anxiety. This phenomenon is extensively discussed on social media, where individuals share time management strategies and reviews of time-tracking software, indicating a societal shift towards maximizing every minute. Studies suggest that about 130 million young adults in China alone are affected by disrupted sleep patterns due to late nights. Globally, staying up late has become a common lifestyle among the youth, which often extends into the domains of work and leisure, influencing their daily routines and overall health.

The root causes of this trend can be traced to psychological and social pressures. Many young people stay up late as a form of ‘retaliatory staying up late’, where they reclaim the nighttime for personal activities, viewing it as a necessary trade-off for the lost leisure time during the day. This behavior is often a response to the inability to complete tasks within conventional work hours, forcing them to extend their active hours into the night. The essence of this behavior reflects a complex psychological state where individuals overcompensate for daytime restrictions and stress by indulging in late-night activities, despite being aware of the potential health risks. This compensatory behavior is particularly prevalent among those who feel a strong disconnect between institutional time rhythms and personal goals, leading them to sacrifice sleep as a way to manage time and assert control over their lives.

This essay focuses on the issue of college students staying up late, proposing experimental solutions grounded in behavioral economics to mitigate this problem. By leveraging theories that consider how psychological and social factors influence decision-making, we aim to design interventions that encourage healthier sleep habits. Through these strategies, we hope to demonstrate that behavioral economics can effectively improve sleep patterns and overall well-being among college students.