sengetider

Sengetider is a term used in Norwegian Bokmål and Danish to mean bedtimes—the times when a person is expected or advised to go to sleep. The word combines a reference to sleep (bed) with the concept of time, and it is commonly used in parenting, education, and sleep research to discuss regular sleep schedules.

Etymology and usage regions: Sengetider comes from the Scandinavian roots for bed and time and is primarily used in Norwegian and Danish contexts. In English-language discussions, the term is typically translated as "bedtimes." The concept also appears in discussions of sleep routines, adolescent sleep, and child development.

Practical use: In households and schools, sengetider are often set to ensure sufficient nightly sleep for children and adolescents. Guidelines from health authorities generally emphasize the importance of regular bedtimes to support circadian alignment and daytime functioning. While recommended sleep duration varies by age, a common framework suggests roughly 9–11 hours for school-age children, 8–10 hours for teenagers, and about 7–9 hours for adults, with individual needs depending on activity level, health, and personal rhythms.

Variations: Some families maintain fixed bedtimes every night, while others use a flexible routine that adapts on weekends or during holidays. Sleep hygiene practices, such as wind-down routines and limits on screen time before bed, are often associated with sengetider management.

Cultural aspects: Attitudes toward bedtimes differ across cultures, families, and age groups, reflecting balancing of health guidance, social obligations, and personal preferences.

See also: sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm, sleep duration guidelines.