Giving your body the sleep it needs is always going to be the right choice, so if you’re feeling particularly drained and struggling to keep your eyes open pre-10pm, going to bed is probably a good shout.

However, going to bed too early – for example, over an hour earlier than you normally would – can take its toll on your circadian rhythm. “Going to bed an hour or two earlier than usual once in a while is generally not an issue, but the problem comes when you find yourself waking up earlier than usual,” Dr Patel explains. “This can lead to a temporary or permanent change to your circadian rhythm.”

Also known as the body’s internal clock, the circadian rhythm is responsible for everything from regulating your body temperature to controlling the release of cortisol and melatonin throughout the day.

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is one of the best ways to keep your circadian rhythm regulated; if you change your bedtime drastically over a short period of time, you can end up misaligned with your circadian rhythm, leading to a phenomenon known as ‘social jetlag’ where your body’s cortisol and melatonin spikes are out of sync with your energy needs.

Can you go to bed too early? The benefits and drawbacks of a pre-10pm bedtime