We all know that getting enough good sleep is essential to our physical and mental health, but a new study finds that sticking to a regular bedtime is also important for women trying to get pregnant. Research from Washington University in St. Louis finds that those who turn in at about the same time every night were four times more likely to conceive within a year.
So what’s the link between having a regular bedtime and getting pregnant? Experts believe the body clock could play a role in fertility. Researchers had 176 women who were trying to conceive wear a smartwatch that monitored activity levels and found that those who hit the sack in the same hour timeframe each night were four times more likely to get pregnant and those turning in within the same 90-minute period were twice as likely to conceive.
“We know adequate sleep is important to normal regulation and healthy functioning,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Ginsburg from the American Society for Reproduction. “This study indicates that for women planning to conceive, the establishment of regular sleep habits could be advantageous.”
So basically, if you want to have a baby, make sure you stick to your bedtime and it could boost your chances of getting pregnant. Plus, you’ll finally be getting the sleep your body and brain needs.