Sleepy Time

When should you go to bed to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep?

This backwards calculator helps you determine when you should go to bed based on your wake-up time, the number of hours you want to sleep, and the number of minutes you need to unwind.

Get notifications for when to go to bed and when to stop drinking caffeine (6 hours before bedtime based on the study cited below).

If you feel a little tired and want a little more sleep, change the number of sleep hours.

If it takes you more/less time to get to sleep once you get in bed, change the "Unwind" time to suit you.

Continue tweaking the values until you find a good bedtime.

Tips:

* "Bed time" is when you get into bed. This is a good time to read a book. Watching TV or getting on your computer limits the melatonin production, signaling your body it is time to go to sleep.

* Sometimes we get busy, so set your phone's alarm to remind you when you should go to bed.

* A 2013 study published in the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine" reported that consuming caffeine six hours before bed can have a harmful effect on your ability to sleep soundly. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/430238-how-long-before-bed-should-i-stop-drinking-caffeine/)

* Melatonin supplements can help you get to sleep sooner. Over time your body can re-learn when to start producing melatonin so you can get to bed at a regular time. But if you are trying to change your sleeping habits for the better, try this about an hour before you want to sleep. I use melatonin when I am trying to go to bed earlier and my body may be use to a later time.