I am not a morning person, and I have trouble going to bed before 11 p.m. on a nightly basis. While science indicates that a gene mutation might be to blame, I firmly believe astrology plays a role too, and each person is more likely to go to bed at a different time based on their sign. So with that in mind, here's the best time to go to sleep based on your zodiac sign. While some people dismiss astrology as New Age mumbo-jumbo, scientists have begun to study things like the month you were born and its impact on things like your propensity for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.
Because each sign of the zodiac needs a different amount of sleep each night, the time you should go to bed varies based on what time you need to not only get up, but also be functional and ready to tackle your day. Some signs have an easier time falling asleep than others, and a few signs need more time to shake the sleep off in the morning. This means that Virgo and Pisces might not be the best party partners, since they need to go to sleep at vastly different times.
"Each one of us is programmed in a particular way; we have our set of preferences, ideas and principles," astrology website Astrospeak explained. "Some are moldable while some stick around for life. This holds true for what we eat, how we react to situations, what we wear, and even how we sleep. A lot to do with our preferences [but] why we like something is decided in the stars, i.e. our zodiac signs decide our preferences. And this extends to our sleep patterns too."
Here's the best time to go to sleep based on your zodiac sign, all assuming that your alarm is normally set to around 7 a.m. or so.
1. Aries: Between 2 a.m. And 3 a.m.
Aries is the baby of the zodiac, and much like an only child, Aries likes to get their own way. Astrospeak noted that since Aries can successfully get by on four to five hours of sleep a night, Aries can climb into bed as late as 3 a.m. and still function the next day. But, over the long term Aries can suffer from lack of sleep and become cranky just like a real baby. While four to five hours of sleep is OK, try to get six or more at least a few days a week.
2. Taurus: 11 p.m.
Because Taurus needs at least seven hours of sleep, this sign should retire for the evening by 11 p.m. Taurus usually needs extra time in the morning to feel fully awake, so going to bed by 11 p.m. and starting the wake-up process at 6 a.m. is best for this stubborn sign. Taurus also needs a gentle wake-up to set them up for a good day, according to Thrive Global. "Make sure your alarm clock is gentle; a rude awakening doesn’t sit well with the bull."
3. Gemini: 1 a.m.
Dual sign Gemini needs between two and 12 hours of sleep a night, which means that on average, they should shoot for getting six hours of sack time. This means Gemini should be asleep by 1 a.m. Because Gemini loves constant conversation, it's important for this sign to unplug before bed or they run the risk of never going to sleep at all, according to Ask My Oracle. Meditation and disengaging from electronic devices is key to Gemini getting restful sleep.
4. Cancer: 11 p.m.
Homebody Cancer needs a nurturing sleep space and at least eight hours of shuteye to feel rested. This means that Cancer should be drifting off to dreamland by 11 p.m. at the latest, according to Ask My Oracle. Cancer actually does better on between nine and ten hours of sleep, but getting that much sack time isn't always realistic.
5. Leo: 12 a.m.
Leo does best on seven hours a sleep at night, but they don't always need that much, so going to bed at midnight for Leo is on the early side. "Leo has a strong fiery constitution and needs less sleep than other signs," Thrive Global explained. "The sign of the actor, some Leos can do a show, go to the after party, and then pop off to bed." Additionally, if Leo needs to catch up on neglected Zzzs, they require total darkness, so consider a sleep mask or blackout curtains.
6. Virgo: 4 a.m.
Virgo can get by on as little as three hours of sleep, so they can turn in by 4 a.m. a few nights a weeks and still be bright-eyed at that 8 a.m. meeting. However, because Virgos are still humans, there will be an inevitable crash if they continue this sleep cycle for an extended period of time. If you're a Virgo, pull out your secret I-don't-need-any-sleep weapon only when you really need it, and get your Zzzs the rest of the time.
7. Libra: 11 p.m.
In order to be their best badass, peacemaking Libra needs to get to sleep by 11 p.m. to get a solid eight hours, Thrive Global noted. Libras spend so much time seeking balance and trying to make everyone love them that they are mentally exhausted by the end of the day, and they need sufficient time to recharge — preferably in a beautiful sleeping space.
8. Scorpio: 10 p.m.
Scorpio is generally not a good sleeper, and they have trouble waking up in the morning. In order to get their eight hours of sleep and have an hour to wake up slowly, Scorpio should be winding down by 10 p.m. if they want to get a full night's rest, even though they don't always need it. That's why coffee was invented, right? "It is the effect of their planet that they keep pushing their bedtime without any difficulties," Ask My Oracle noted. "They are happy and extremely comfortable if they have to sleep late as they don’t mind sleeping till late in the morning. But because of this routine, they are often sleep deprived."
9. Sagittarius: 1 a.m.
On average, a Sagittarius should get at least six hours of sleep a night, which means the Sag should go to bed by 1 a.m. However, the Sag is a highly energized sign that can get away without any sleep for days at a time and then recharge on as little as six hours. "Talking about the amount of sleep they require, it is minimum that they can afford," noted Ask My Oracle. "They can happily carry on with limited amount sleep that they can comfortably manage and that’s because they are always high on energy levels."
10. Capricorn: 12 a.m.
Capricorn turns into a pumpkin at midnight, and Thrive Global noted that this sign consistently sleeps seven to eight hours, no matter what time they go to bed. This means that if the Cap has to be up at 7 a.m. for work they need to be in bed no later than 12 a.m. to be at their level best the next day. To get the best sleep Caps should make sure they are warm and cozy at night.
11. Aquarius: 3 a.m.
Aquarius tends to be the most physically and mentally energetic of the zodiac signs, which means this sign can hit the hay around 3 a.m. on a regular basis and still perform like they've had a full night's rest, Thrive Global noted. Aquarians often need to tire themselves out to get some true shut eye, but they can force the issue if they want to with meditation, hot relaxing baths, and yoga before bed.
12. Pisces: 9 p.m.
Introspective Pisces spends a lot of time in their head and can sleep anywhere from eight to 18 hours a day. Because this is not feasible if Pisces has a job, or any other sort of life, the average amount a Pisces should sleep is 10 hours, which means turning in at the third-grader bedtime of 9 p.m. "Overall, sleep is like a very important drug for the zodiac to rejuvenate [Pisces] on the mental and spiritual front," Ask My Oracle noted. "There are chances that they might have difficulties in getting sound sleep but they are temporary and can be handled with little care."
Sweet dreams, my friends!
