The Best Time to Go to Bed for a Good Night's Sleep

There are two schools of thought when it comes to going to bed, and most people say that you can’t go to bed too early or too late. But that’s not always true – knowing when you should go to bed depends on your goals, the quality of your sleep and what you want to do in the morning. Here are some tips for figuring out the best time to go to bed for a good night’s sleep.

• How Do You Know When it’s the Right Time?

It can be hard to figure out when the right time is, but there are some general guidelines that you can use. A good rule of thumb is that you should go to bed at least 8 hours before you have to wake up in the morning. If you're used to getting 8 hours of sleep and your body feels rested, then it's probably not too late yet. However, if you're used to sleeping more than 8 hours a night or feeling tired during the day despite enough sleep, then it might be time to get an earlier start. You should also consider what type of activities will follow after your nighttime ritual: if they include anything stimulating like television, video games or social media; do these an hour or two before going to bed instead so they don't interfere with your slumber later on.

• What’s Your Sleeping Schedule Like?

It is believed that the best time to go to bed is right before you feel tired. This means that you should be in bed by 9:00pm at the latest. Experts recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time every day so your body can get used to it. However, if you are feeling exhausted during the day and need more sleep, then it might be best for you to go earlier than 9:00pm. Other factors like stress, exercise and diet also affect your sleeping patterns. The key is to find what works best for you.

• How Many Hours of Sleep Are Enough?

It is recommended that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night, with eight being the most common. However, this varies person to person and can depend on how old you are, what time you go to bed, how much caffeine you ingest throughout the day, and other factors. For example, if you have an early-morning appointment or need to wake up early for work, it may be better to go to bed at 9 pm rather than 10 pm because it will take longer for your body to reach REM sleep which leads into deep slumber. The quality of your mattress also determines how long it takes your body to relax and drift off into a deep sleep. If your mattress is too firm or uncomfortable, you might be tossing and turning all night.

• Is There an Ideal Number of Hours Between Wake Up and Bedtime?

No. The number of hours between wake up and bedtime that you need depends on your sleep cycle, which is different for everyone. This is the time it takes you to fall asleep, the time it takes you to get into deep sleep (REM), and the time it takes you to wake up. Some people are night owls and others are morning birds so one might need more hours than another. What matters most is when these hours fit into your daily routine. For instance, if you’re an early bird and have to be at work by 8am then try going to bed at 10pm the previous evening. That way you can wake up refreshed without worrying about feeling tired during the day or burning out before 4pm.

• Does Age Matter?

Some people have trouble sleeping because they are too excited or stressed. While it is true that some people need less sleep, the majority of adults need about 8 hours each night. The best time to go to bed varies depending on your age and life situation.

For example, if you're an adult with young children, you may want to stay up later than usual so you can spend more time with them in the evening before they go to bed. If you're an adult working a day job, it might be better for you to go to bed earlier so you don't get overtired during the day. Older adults generally find their natural body clock gets shifted earlier as they age. It's important not just when we should go to bed but also how much sleep we should get every night.

• Does Gender Matter?

Some people believe that going to bed earlier will make you more tired, but it is actually better if you go to bed at the same time every day. Women tend to stay up later than men, which may be why they have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Try going to bed at the same time each night and take a warm shower before bed. Warm water helps relax muscles and provides a soothing environment. If you are waking up in the middle of the night or feeling exhausted during the day, try sleeping with an eye mask or ear plugs to help block out light or sound from disrupting your sleep pattern.

• Does Lifestyle Matter?

It may seem like the time of day you go to bed doesn't matter, but it actually does. Our bodies are supposed to be on a circadian rhythm, which is when our sleep and wake cycles align with the natural light-dark cycle. This means that going to bed later will affect the quality of your sleep and waking hours, as well. So what is the right time to go to bed? There really isn't a one size fits all answer here, because everyone has different schedules and lifestyles. In general, however, most experts recommend going to bed at 10:00pm or earlier. For more specific information about what works best for you specifically, consult an expert who specializes in this topic such as a sleep specialist!

• Does Jet Lag Affect It?

Jet lag can also affect your body clock, making it difficult to fall asleep at night. If this is the case, try going to bed earlier than usual and give yourself some time before you need to be up in the morning. It might take some trial and error but eventually you will find out what works best for you and your schedule. Do you have to go to sleep right away?: Research shows that if you wait until you are sleepy or start thinking about bedtime then your body will get the signal that it's time for sleep.

Just like when we eat - sometimes our stomach is telling us we are hungry while our brain says no - sometimes our brain says no and tells us we are not tired, even though our body might need rest. Be patient with yourself! Eventually sleep should come more easily after these steps have been followed.