The "80/20 Rule" Should Help You Get Better Sleep

"Good sleep is one of those non-negotiables in life. It's why you might panic on the nights when you struggle to fall asleep, or why you feel a sense of dread creeping in when you wake up at 3 a.m. This is where the "80/20 rule" comes in: It's the idea that you should try to get good sleep 80 percent of the time, and then allow yourself a little wiggle room for the other 20 percent."

"Instead of feeling as if every evening has to be perfect or else, it frees you to have a few nights here and there that are a little wonky or less-than-ideal. According to Winter, the best sleep tip - and this goes for almost everything wellness-related - is to stop striving for perfection. If you tend to worry about maintaining healthy habits, keeping the 80/20 ratio in mind may help ease your stress."

Good sleep should be prioritized about 80 percent of nights, with about 20 percent allowance for less-ideal nights. Most nights should include timely bedtimes, consistent sleep hygiene, and roughly eight hours of rest. Occasional exceptions such as late nights or all-nighters are acceptable and can reduce anxiety about imperfect sleep. Emphasizing an 80/20 balance reduces pressure from sleep tracking and perfectionism and promotes relaxation. Adopting a flexible mindset helps maintain healthy habits without stress and prevents overreacting when sleep falters, supporting better long-term sleep and overall wellness.

Read at Bustle