09/12/2023
According the traditional Chinese medicine practices, it is best for your body’s rhythm to fall asleep before 11pm because the time period between 11pm and 1am is important for your circadian rhythm and your bodies housekeeping functions. The same is generally true based on research done on sleep, health, and circadian rhythms. However, not everyone has a lifestyle or job that allows them to fit into that timeframe.
So what can they do?
Well, consistency seems to be best. If you are consistent with your sleep schedule, that can help regulate your internal clock to get more restful and restorative sleep.
A systematic review looking at sleep timing, sleep consistency, and health in adults concluded that earlier sleep timing and regularity in sleep patterns with consistent bedtimes and wake up times were favorably associated with health. “Irregular sleep is a highly prevalent form of chronic circadian disruption in today’s society and our findings suggest it may be a modifiable risk factor for several important health indicators,” i.e. metabolic and health impairments.
So whether you work a 12 hour night shift or have a schedule that lines up with your kids, the consistency and regularity is key.
Study source:
Jean-Philippe Chaput, Caroline Dutil, Ryan Featherstone, Robert Ross, Lora Giangregorio, Travis J. Saunders, Ian Janssen, Veronica J. Poitras, Michelle E. Kho, Amanda Ross-White, Sarah Zankar, and Julie Carrier. 2020. Sleep timing, sleep consistency, and health in adults: a systematic review. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 45(10 (Suppl. 2)): S232-S247. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0032