The Benefits of Going to Bed Before Midnight

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for our overall well-being and health. But how much sleep do we need and when should we go to bed? According to Dr. Ramlakhan, the optimal amount of sleep is 7-9 hours and it's best to go to bed before midnight. Sleeping before midnight helps regulate the circadian rhythm, which is an internal clock that controls our sleep-wake cycle.

It also ensures that there are enough hours of light exposure during the day to regulate melatonin production. Not getting up early enough in the morning and not exposing yourself to the sun can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and can affect our health. The human sleep cycle consists of four stages divided into two types: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. As the night continues and the later you go to bed, the more your sleep structure alters.

Any degree of sleep deprivation is serious, as it not only affects how we feel and think every day, but it can also be dangerous. Sleep hygiene, also known as sleep routine, is another important factor that can determine whether we sleep well or poorly. This is significant because some research has suggested that NREM sleep is deeper and more restorative than lighter, sleep-infused REM sleep, although both offer significant benefits. The finding was that late bedtime and late waking up are associated with unfavorable activity and a weight status profile, regardless of age, sex, household income, geographical remoteness and sleep duration.

That's why it's important to go to bed steadily before midnight in order to get a good night's sleep and avoid any degree of sleep deprivation.