According to new research, getting enough sleep can benefit your heart and overall health. A study of 172,321 adults revealed that those who followed all five elements of good sleep habits lived almost five years longer than those without such habits.
Researchers claim this is the first study to explore how sleep behaviours impact life expectancy. They discovered that approximately 8% of all deaths from any cause could be attributed to inadequate snooze patterns.
Men could live almost five years longer than those who don’t sleep well
Research has recently revealed that getting enough quality sleep is just as essential for your health as eating right and exercising regularly, with those who regularly get quality rest living five years longer on average than those who don’t.
This study was based on data collected from 172,321 respondents to the National Health Interview Survey between 2013 and 2018. Researchers evaluated five factors associated with sleep quality: ideal duration; difficulty falling asleep no more than twice a week; difficulty staying asleep no more than twice a week; not using any sleep medications; and feeling rested after sleeping.
Researchers found that men who achieved all five quality sleep measures (a score of five) experienced an average life expectancy increase of 4.7 years over men and 2.4 years for women. While this research estimated gains in life expectancy starting at age 30, researchers believe the model can also be applied to predict gains at older ages too.
Women could live almost two years longer
The key to living a long and healthy life may lie in getting enough sleep. A recent study has revealed that getting adequate shut-eye is linked to numerous benefits, such as increased energy levels and improved memory and concentration. Based on data collected from the world’s largest national sleep apnea registry involving more than 30,000 adults–mostly women–the researchers concluded that six hours of quality sleep per night is recommended–though this amount may not always be possible for everyone.
Daniel F. Kripke, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, led a team that used wrist-mounted accelerometers to track participants’ daily sleep patterns over an 11-year period. They measured various metrics from significant to insignificant and discovered that women’s sleeping patterns differ significantly from their male counterparts. This is the first study to demonstrate this distinction between them.
Those who sleep well are less likely to die from heart disease
Sleep is essential for many reasons. It helps the mind develop and function properly, regulates emotional health, and strengthens the immune system.
Furthermore, sleep promotes energy and creativity during the day; it enhances memory and learning abilities as well as makes problem-solving and stress control much simpler.
Sleep is essential for people of all ages. Not only does it reduce symptoms of depression, high blood pressure and seizures, but it also supports immunity, helping to protect against diabetes and other serious health problems such as heart disease. Unfortunately, getting enough shut-eye can be challenging for some – if you struggle to fall or stay asleep regularly, discuss this with your doctor.
Those who don’t sleep well are more likely to die from other causes
Good quality sleep can add years to people’s lives and be a blessing in terms of health and happiness. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the good night’s rest they deserve and many don’t get enough for optimal health. A recent study found that deaths due to inadequate sleep are on the rise in America – an improvement from 10 years ago though still an issue. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to increase your chances of snoozing the night away more frequently.