Sleep Hack: Schedule a Ride Home
The other day, I attended a dinner party and stayed later than I had intended. This led to me being tired the next day. I have been trying to get more sleep, so not only was I tired, but I was also disappointed in myself for staying out so late. This is a problem, and I’m sure I’m not the only ADHDer who struggles with this.
The Problem
When an ADHDer is out having a good time, their impulsive side keeps telling they can stay for a bit longer. By the time the ADHDer finally goes home, it is far too late. When they get home, they have to settle down and get ready for bed. This cuts into sleep time dramatically and leaves them tired the next day. Ideally, one should be able to say, “I’m going to leave at this time, no later,” and it all goes according to plan. However, the ADHD mind is susceptible to impulsivity, making it hard to leave when one intends to leave. The problem, then, is: How does an ADHDer force themselves to go home on time and not let impulsivity rule the day?
The Solution
The dinner party I attended the other day was held in a neighborhood with limited parking. To remedy this, I decided to use a ridesharing app to get myself to the party. Due to technical difficulties, I was not able to successfully book a ride that night (a problem which has since been fixed), but while trying to book a ride, I noticed something. It is possible to schedule rides using ridesharing apps.
The idea is this: You take an Uber or a Lyft to your destination, and before you even go out, you schedule your return trip to get you home at a time that allows you to settle down, complete your nightly routine, and get to bed at a time that will provide you with plenty of sleep.
Tips
Both Lyft and Uber offer this service. However, Lyft does not offer scheduled rides in all markets where it operates. Unfortunately, this brilliant strategy I have devised is unavailable in my city because Uber does not operate here and Lyft does not offer scheduled rides in this market. Sad day!
Click here to read an article about scheduling a ride with Lyft.
Click here to read an article about scheduling a ride with Uber.
Here is a video comparing the two services: