Home LivingWellnessSleepDon’t delay your bedtime for this important sleep reason, says doctorYou’re missing out on this crucial stage of sleep if you delay your bedtimeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepDon’t delay your bedtime for this important sleep reason, says doctorYou’re missing out on this crucial stage of sleep if you delay your bedtimeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
You’re missing out on this crucial stage of sleep if you delay your bedtime
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
Do you struggle to fall asleep at night? Or maybe you can’t resist staying up to watch one more episode of your favourite TV show. But while you might think it’s not a big deal to delay your bedtime, you could actually be missing out on a very crucial phase of sleep.
The phase Dr Raj is referring to is slow wave sleep. But what is it and why does it matter? Keep reading to find out.
What is slow wave sleep?
(Image credit: Dr Raj / TikTok)
(Image credit: Dr Raj / TikTok)
But why? Dr Raj explains that “as the night goes on, the ratio of NREM to REM sleep changes and you get progressively less NREM and more REM sleep. If you cut short your bedtime, you cut the short time you spend in slow wave sleep and so you get less of that growth hormone.”
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
This hormone is particularly important for children and teenagers to continue growing but as you get older, a lack of this growth hormone is not only a sign of aging but it canaffect your body fat, aerobic capacity, and muscle and brain mass. As stated in his video, Dr Raj says that this is why it’s important to go to bed at a similar time every day, so you get every bit of that growth hormone.
In general, having a set bedtime routine is a sign of goodsleep hygiene, so you should be aiming to do this anyway, to ensure you have the best night’s sleep and wake up the next day feeling refreshed and motivated.
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
Samsung’s latest laptops changed my mind about AI – here’s whyThe Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
Hatch’s latest sunrise alarm clock finally has a phone-free design – and I’m obsessedHatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings
Hatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings
This ERA mattress topper can turn your mattress into a smart sleep tracking deviceThe ERA Smart Layer is my favourite wellness product from CES 2025
The ERA Smart Layer is my favourite wellness product from CES 2025
Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
6 gadgets to get you through Dry JanuaryWith Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January
With Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January
This pillow flip sleep hack can help you beat Christmas insomnia – and it takes secondsIf you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack
If you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack
Therabody SleepMask review: soothing vibrations that send you to sleepTherabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?
Therabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?
I spent 24 hours with the new Loop Switch 2 earplugs – here’s my honest takeFrom fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario
From fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario
Sleep expert reveals why you should never nap for longer than 10 minutesThe answer will shock you
The answer will shock you