Given the time-dependent nature of hormonal release schedules that are governed by the circadian clock, what is the most important thing about sleep? To go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Even on weekends. This may mean forgoing late parties if you’re an early bird, or missing early-morning events if you’re a night owl. Although few of us lived this way in our twenties and thirties, by the time you reach sixty-five or so, you may begin to notice that inconsistency has become even more punishing. Even a slight change to the schedule—staying up an
...more
