Do the Hours of Sleep Before Midnight Count Double? Facts and Fables

It is often claimed that the hours of sleep before midnight count double, which would mean that going to bed early leads to better rest. But is this really true? Let's take a closer look at this myth.

It is true that the timing of your sleep is important, but this varies from person to person. This has to do with your sleep cycle and whether you are a morning or evening person.

Sleep consists of several cycles of about 90 minutes, each with two phases: deep sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. The first four hours of sleep are primarily filled with deep sleep, which is essential for physical and mental recovery. This is also called core sleep and is crucial regardless of whether it occurs before or after midnight.

REM sleep, which is less important for recovery, does vary depending on the time of day. Early in the morning, people are more likely to get longer REM sleep because of lower body temperature. This may mean that people who go to bed late but sleep in the morning experience more REM sleep. However, this differs between morning and evening people, whose body temperature varies at different times.

So morning people benefit from going to bed early 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 sleep needs and rhythm.

In short, although the hours of sleep before midnight don't necessarily count double, finding a consistent sleep rhythm that fits your natural cycle and needs is crucial to a good night's sleep.