How can I reset my sleep schedule after months of irregular bedtimes?

The body is not a machine you reprogram overnight—it's more like a stubborn old friend who needs gentle persuasion. I've found that consistency matters far more than perfection. Start by choosing a wake time and stick to it, even on weekends. Yes, even weekends. Your body's circadian rhythm is anchored to light and routine, not willpower. Nasreddin Hodja once stayed up all night waiting for tomorrow, only to find it arrived exactly as scheduled. The joke, of course, is that we can't negotiate with time—but we can align ourselves with it. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning, avoid screens an hour before bed, and let your body slowly remember what it already knows. Don't expect this to work in three days. Two to three weeks is realistic. Keep a simple log—not obsessively, just enough to notice the pattern. And here's the paradox: the less anxious you are about falling asleep, the easier it becomes. Your body responds to acceptance more than force. What time do you naturally wake when you're not fighting yourself?