Is this the perfect time to go to bed? Science believes so
Trying to go to bed early can feel impossible when you’re scrolling through TikTok and then suddenly two hours have whizzed by.
Many of us are guilty of not getting enough sleep and spending the next day drinking mugs of coffee just to stay awake.
Research from Sleep Number has discovered that more and more people are opting for earlier bedtimes and we’re not one bit surprised to see it.
We’d love to be the type of people who hit the hay before midnight but it’s something we’ve struggled with for years.
However, the health benefits that come with going to bed at 9 pm may finally sway us and stop the nighttime doomscrolling.
Medical experts have confirmed that going to bed early means you’ll likely get a better quality of sleep. If you doze off at midnight and wake up at 7 am feeling exhausted then that may be because your quality of sleep was poor.
If you go to bed at 9 pm or even 10 pm then you’ll likely get eight hours of sleep every night. The deepest sleep happens between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. which is why your 9 pm bedtime is so beneficial.
Not only will you notice a better quality of sleep and feel rested too, but you’ll also feel more energised.
How an early bedtime will boost your mental well-being
If we’re feeling tired then we’ll likely not feel as positive or energetic as we would after a decent night’s sleep.
Dr Nerina Ramlakhan told Stylist that improving your sleep schedule can also improve your emotional well-being.
“I notice that people who get to bed earlier are less likely to suffer from chronic fatigue, thyroid problems, and burnout.
“They also tend to have healthier lifestyle habits as they then get up earlier to meditate, journal, exercise, and take time to eat healthily. It’s a win-win,” Dr Ramlakhan said.
“By and large, and based on my 25-plus years of professional experience, late bedtimes aren’t a good choice.”
Adjusting to an early bedtime
Going to bed early can feel near impossible for those who are too used to staying up late.
How can we go from falling asleep at midnight to being ready for bed at 9 pm?
One thing that can help you get used to that 9 pm bedtime is to limit your blue light exposure.
You should avoid drinking caffeine after 4 pm and stay away from your phone.
Opt for more relaxing hobbies like reading or journaling instead of spending hours on Instagram.
It’s important to note that going to bed earlier isn’t going to happen easily.
Experts explained that the best way to ease into an early bedtime is to shift your bedtime and wake-up time 10-30 minutes earlier each week so your body slowly gets used to the change.
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