How important is a regular sleep schedule?

[stateofmind]

I've been recording my dreams and doing reality checks on and off for a little less than a year now but the only thing I haven't really cultivated was a regular sleep schedule. I want to get up at 6:30 every morning and go to bed at 11:00 but it's so hard!! I was wondering... just how important is a sleep schedule for lucid dreaming?

[eppy]

i think it is important.

[Shift]

I dunno, the best REM periods are later, and good sleep is necessary for better performance. I usually only get 5 hours a night at school, and I still manage to lucid dream. So I think it helps, but I don't think it's completely necessary. You may have a higher LD frequency with a better sleeping schedule, but even napping or only getting 5 hours of sleep seems to be enough sometimes.

[Dave B]

The most important thing is make sure your not tired!

[Niddiboy]

yeah being tired affects me as i have a deeper sleep, longer sleep means longer REM periods, which are the key to lucid dreaming =D

[seeker28]

Personally I believe that as long as you get enough sleep for you (varries from about 6-9 hours per day) a set sleep schedule is not necessary for LDing. However, because a set sleep schedule can cut down on mild insomnia as well as make sure you are getting enough sleep on a regular basis it can be helpful. I know that as long as I get enough sleep I can have as varried a sleep schedule as I need to and still LD.