A growing body of research suggests that when you fall asleep and wake up each day may be just as important for your health as how much you sleep. Studies have shown that having a fairly consistent bed- and wake-time can help ensure that you get the right amount of sleep each night and puts you in alignment with your circadian rhythm.

Importance of Sleep Regularity

In 2023, a group of international sleep experts published a report on the importance of sleep regularity. They reviewed more than 60 studies and concluded that keeping a regular sleep schedule, with consistent bed and wake times, were linked to improvements in a wide variety of health and performance outcomes, including metabolic health, mental health, daily alertness and academic performance.

According to Susan Redline, a senior physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School, sleep regularity influences our circadian rhythm, which is critical to almost every physiologic system in the body, including metabolism and cardiovascular function.

Creating a Sleep Schedule

To create a sleep schedule, start by figuring out what time you need to be up in the morning, and then work backward to identify your optimal bedtime. Most people generally need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. It’s also important to have a bedtime routine, such as reading a book or doing some gentle stretching, to help signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.