Good sleep hygiene means keeping a consistent bedtime.

Experts and researchers report that the number one rule of sleep hygiene is consistency: keeping regular bed and wake times anchors the circadian rhythm and supports related bodily processes.

Experts and health professionals repeatedly highlight consistency as the central rule of good sleep hygiene. They reported that going to bed and waking at roughly the same times helps anchor circadian rhythms and can make it easier to fall and stay asleep. Several specialists, including Dr. Leah Kaylor and Dr. Jade Wu, described a regular schedule as foundational for evening routines and daytime energy. A study by Vitality was reported to link consistent bedtimes with possible longevity benefits. Key points: - Multiple sleep experts described a consistent bedtime as the core habit for better sleep, with Dr. Leah Kaylor calling a regular schedule the "gold standard." - Consistent bed and wake times act as an anchor for the circadian rhythm, which supports sleep timing and continuity. - A Vitality study was reported to associate sleep regularity with wellbeing and potential longevity effects, and Dr. Katie Tryon emphasized sleep regularity alongside sleep duration. - Sleep medicine and psychology experts noted that the body clock also times hormone release, digestion, and core temperature, all of which relate to sleep quality, as described by Dr. William Lu and Dr. Lindsay Browning. - Reported strategies discussed in the coverage included shifting bedtime gradually (the 20-minute rule), avoiding afternoon caffeine, building a wind-down routine, and using sleep trackers to monitor consistency. Summary: A regular sleep schedule was reported to support circadian rhythms and related bodily functions, which can make falling and staying asleep easier. Experts and a Vitality study linked sleep regularity with wellbeing and possible longevity benefits. Practical approaches were described such as shifting bedtime gradually, reducing afternoon caffeine, and using consistent evening routines to signal sleep. Undetermined at this time.