SleepyCloud: Examining the Effect of Odor Cue on Reducing Bedtime Procrastination

Abstract

Bedtime procrastination refers to delaying bedtime without external reasons. It has become serious among the younger generation due to smartphone popularity, leading to several physical and mental disorders. Odor cue has the potential to reduce bedtime procrastination, as prior research has demonstrated its effectiveness in conveying information and triggering desired emotion and behaviors. However, limited research investigates the effect of odor on bedtime regulation outside of clinical settings. We designed and implemented SleepyCloud, a device aiming to deliver odor cue one hour before people’s scheduled bedtime. Our study examines the effectiveness of odor cue on reducing students’ bedtime procrastination using SleepyCloud. Our results suggested that the odor cue was helpful on reducing bedtime procrastination for those who procrastinated due to leisure activities, and that the odor cue also helped regulate sleep. We provide implications for future investigation on this topic.