Does the actual timeframe of your sleep matter?

[Gringo]

Ok, today I had a conversation with my GF that got me to post here. Mind you she isn't no scientist (just a regular gal who studies architecture, doesn't do fitness seriously), and she told me that our bodies can "detect" if we are sleeping in the correct time of the day or not (correct, as in, during the night): she continued, that if a person sleeps during the day, our bodies detect that is in the day, and try to force the body into the "wake up mode", despite the fact that your still sleeping. The results: you sleep very badly, and when you wake up, you feel drowsy and not rested at all, even if you slept the normal 8 hours: thus, you'll have a very shitty day in the end. So what do you think on this? Is this true or false?

Note: the conversation started because I believe that it doesn't matter at what time of the day you sleep as long as you sleep the minimum: 6-8 hours. And also because, I tend to go to sleep very late (3-4 in the morning).

later guys!
GRINGO

[holvoetn]

It has to do with your biorhythm.
In my opinion your GF is correct.

I was always told (and experienced it to be true from personal experience) sleep BEFORE midnight has a higher quality than sleep after.
Getting to bed at 22h00 and sleeping for 8 hours is better then getting to bed at 01h00 and sleeping the same 8 hours.

[Gringo]

Hey holvoetn! Damn.. so my GF wins once again j/k. Seems like I'll have to change my lifestyle a bit, to try to sleep earlier. I'll try snoozing earlier tonight.

[Sam277]

Yeah i think your girl's right, and i agree from personal experience. The body clock knows best, in fact i tend to wake up between 7:00 every morning, give or take 10 minutes, whatever time i go to bed, without an alarm.

I *think* your there's a correlation between sleep quality and risk or serious diseases, putting night shift workers at a slightly higher risk. Makes sense anyway.

[sik0fewl]

This is the same thing that causes jet lag if you travel somewhere with a 6 hour time difference, for example. Your body can take up to a few days to fully adapt to the new pattern.

If you're consistently going to sleep at 3-4 am, you won't have a problem, but if you try to get to bed around midnight one night then you might have some trouble sleeping or be drowsy the next day, despite getting around the same amount of sleep.

[cripmeister]

I agree with sik0fewl, your body adapts. I work nights and get good quality sleep during the day.

/Chris

[Rugger]

In my opinion as a night worker, your girlfriend is probably right, but getting quality sleep during the day is definitely something you can adapt to over time with the help of caffeine.

[Rockfella]

Sleep early bro, u will notice better sleep quality. It works and your GF is indeed right again. Showering before u sleep is even better, also having milk.

[Shoke]

Sleep early bro, u will notice better sleep quality. It works and your GF is indeed right again. Showering before u sleep is even better, also having milk.

Having sex before you sleep is the best (can't believe nobody has said this yet)

[Gringo]

Thanks for the comments everyone! Yes I'm kinda used to sleeping after 12:00 for about 2-3 years now, so I guess I'm not sleeping THAT bad.

[Rockfella]

I have started taking a hot shower after coming from work.. makes me sleep like a log!

Thanks for the comments everyone! Yes I'm kinda used to sleeping after 12:00 for about 2-3 years now, so I guess I'm not sleeping THAT bad.

[SUseb]

Nah that's wrong. Your body can't sense if it's day or night (how would it?) but it can sense a change in habits and adapt itself accordingly (weightlifting is an example of this for example.) If your regular sleep pattern is during the night and you suddenly completely change it around, yeah it's not gonna feel great in the beginning but that'll change once your body has a chance to adapt. The reason that people sleep at night is purely because of efficiency-reasons and not because of biological reasons. (For example the siesta in Spain is an exeption to the rule)

[fideli]

Actually, your body can tell whether it's night or day.

[SUseb]

Doesn't that only work when your eyes are open?

[jakemcmillan]

Go to bed at 10, get up at 6, this is the best advice I can give. Your body starts producing releasing hormones around 10 and it starts to screw with things if you constantly go to bed at midnight or later, or sleep in the day. It can even cause your body to hang onto fat.