08/11/2026
Sleep regularity may be one of the most overlooked parts of getting a good night's rest. Most of us have heard that adults should get seven or more hours of sleep each night, but the number of hours you sleep is only part of the equation. Research increasingly suggests that when you sleep—and how consistently you maintain your bedtime and wake time—also matters for your health.
Think about your typical week. You might go to bed around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, midnight on Wednesday, stay up until 2:00 a.m. Friday, and then sleep until late Saturday morning to catch up.
You may still average a reasonable number of hours across the week, but your body's internal clock is constantly being asked to adjust.
That's where sleep regularity becomes important.
A consistent sleep schedule helps your body anticipate when it should be awake and when it should prepare for sleep.