Health Benefits of Having a Sleep Schedule

Remember how your mom would send you to bed around the same time every day when you were younger? If you’re like most people, you’re no longer following the same routine. It’s common for people to compromise on their sleep schedule as they grow up. However, research tells us that it can harm your health in several ways.

Regular bedtimes aren’t just for kids and have a lot more to offer than ensuring that you wake up feeling fresh and energetic.

The Health Benefits of a Regular Bedtime for Adults

Following are some of the major research-backed benefits of going to sleep at (around) the same time every night:

· It’s Good for Your Heart

Whether it’s your work that’s preventing you from going to bed at the same time every day or social commitments, know that you’re putting your heart health at risk. Research shows that an irregular sleeping schedule increases your risk of developing heart disease as well as getting a heart attack. Even if you’re staying up late only on weekends, you’re putting yourself at risk. A research study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that every hour of delaying sleep (and waking up later) on weekends (a phenomenon scientifically called social jet lag) increases the risk for heart disease by 11%.[1]

· It Helps Reduce Stress

Research from the Duke University Medical Center shows that people with irregular sleeping patterns are more likely to experience stress and depression than those who follow a regular sleep schedule.[2] In view of the fact that stress has become an almost integral part of modern-day life, having a sleep schedule becomes all the more important. It’s great for stress management.

Lower stress levels will eventually improve your physical and mental health as well.

· It Helps Keep Weight in Check

While your weight depends on multiple factors, research has proven that sleep plays a vital role in it. People with shorter sleep duration and irregular sleep schedules tend to have higher BMIs than those who get a good night’s sleep regularly.[3] Inadequate sleep also tends to lead to increased calorie intake.

Whether you are trying to shed some pounds or keeping your weight within a healthy range, make sure not to overlook it when you are going to bed every night.

· It’s Good for Your Metabolism

There is also scientific evidence that having a regular sleep schedule helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Researchers from Harvard University monitored the sleep time of more than 2,000 adults for six years. They found that people whose bedtime varies between 60 to 90 minutes have 14% more chances of developing metabolic syndrome than those who go to bed around the same time every day. The risk increases to a whopping 58% when the variance in sleep time exceeds 90 minutes.

Create a Sleep-Inducing Environment to Get a Good Night’s Sleep Consistently

Taking control of your sleeping routine and schedule is a vital step towards improving your health. Go to bed at the same time every day, limit your caffeine intake, particularly after 3 pm, and create a peaceful and relaxing environment to optimize your sleep schedule. When it comes to creating a comfortable environment, your mattress plays a key role. Invest in a good quality mattress to ensure a good night’s sleep every night. Check out our premium mattress collections to pick one for yourself.