What's the Best Time to Sleep and Wake Up?
In an “ideal” world, you’d have the luxury of going to bed early and then waking up early, all rested for a productive day ahead.
But some commitments, like job duties or child care, can make it difficult to adhere to the “early to bed, early to rise” philosophy.
There are perhaps two important aspects to consider when it comes to sleep: the amount of sleep you get and the consistency in time.
Going to bed while it’s dark can ensure you get enough rest while also making it easier to fall asleep. It’s also important to get the right amount of sleep on a regular basis to help prevent potential health consequences.
If you’re looking for advice for your own sleep schedule, consider the following guidelines for ideal sleep.
Best sleeping hours
Ideally, people ought to go to bed earlier and wake up in the early morning hours. This pattern matches our biological tendencies to adapt our sleep pattern with that of the sun. You might find that you’re naturally sleepier after sundown.
The exact time depends on when you tend to wake up in the morning. Another consideration is the amount of sleep you need per night.
How our circadian rhythm works
Circadian rhythm is a term to describe your brain’s natural sleep-wake schedule. It’s like our internal clock.
Everyone experiences natural dips in alertness and increased wakefulness during certain times in a 24-hour period. People are most likely to be at their sleepiest at two points: between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
The better the quality of sleep you get, the less likely you are to experience significant daytime sleepiness.
Circadian rhythm also dictates your natural bedtime and morning wakeup schedules. Once you get used to going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, your brain adapts to this schedule.
Eventually, you might find yourself going to bed easily at night and waking up right before your alarm clock without any issues.
Your circadian rhythm may be off-balance if you work irregular shifts or go to bed at different times throughout the week. This can result in periods of daytime sleepiness.
