Why Is Sleep Important?

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Sleep duration and quality matter more than whether you wake early or stay up late.

Standard work schedules may explain early birds’ mood advantage.

Consistent sleep schedules, outdoor exercise, and less bedtime screen use can support better sleep.

Many prominent people claim an early start to their day is the key to their success. CEOs, world leaders, and influential figures often tout routines involving early mornings. Hustle culture echoes this sentiment, making bold claims about the life-changing benefits of waking up at 4 a.m., even if that means surviving on just four hours of sleep and several cups of coffee. This perspective, however, tends to be shortsighted. Here’s why.

Good Sleep Is About Duration and Quality, Not Bedtimes And Waketimes

Sleep plays a vital role in our cognitive, biological, and psychological functioning. While it’s true that the requirement for sleep decreases as we age, the CDC recommends getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep every 24 hours, even for adults.

So, why is this number important? A 2020 study conducted on 8,698 adults and published in Sleep Medicine observed that when........

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