It is often claimed that the hours of sleep before midnight count double, which would mean going to bed early leads to a better rest. But is this really true? Let's take a look at this myth.
It's true that the timing of your sleep is important, but this differs from person to person, and this has to do with the sleep cycle and whether you're a morning or evening person.
Sleep consists of several cycles of about 90 minutes, each with two phases: deep sleep and REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement). The first four hours of sleep are mainly filled with deep sleep, which is essential for physical and mental recovery. This is also called nuclear sleep and is crucial regardless of whether it takes place before or after midnight.
The REM sleep, which is less important for recovery, may vary depending on the time of day. Early in the morning, the risk of longer REM sleeping is higher due to lower body temperature. This may mean that people who go to bed late but sleep in the early morning, experience more REM Sleep. However, this varies between morning and evening people whose body temperature varies at different times.
Morning people thus benefit from early bedtime to maintain their normal sleep rhythm, while evening people have more flexibility. So it's not about the specific hours before or after midnight, but about understanding your own sleeping needs and rhythm.
In short, although the hours of sleep before midnight do not necessarily count double, finding a consistent sleep rhythm that fits your natural cycle and needs is crucial for a good night's sleep.
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