A regular sleep schedule is most important for longevity

[New Sancai Compilation and First Release] A new study finds that sleep patterns are a better indicator of premature death than sleep duration. The results mean that targeting regular sleep patterns, such as following a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, can improve our overall health.

The study concluded that adults who had regular and adequate sleep schedules had a 39% lower risk of death than adults who had irregular sleep schedules and insufficient sleep hours. Data analysis considered measures of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health status, and major sleep disorders.

Sleeping six hours a night on a consistent sleep/wake schedule was associated with a lower risk of premature death than sleeping eight hours a night irregularly.

"Our study found that regardless of whether there is a severe sleep disorder, people who sleep regularly tend to live longer than people who sleep irregularly," said lead author Zhong Zhun, a researcher in the Department of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. (Joon Chung) said. "The results suggest there are benefits to broadening the public discussion of 'good sleep' and extending this goal to many consecutive good nights' sleep during the week and weekends."

According to Sleep 2024, healthy sleep is characterized by adequate duration, appropriate timing, good quality, regularity, and the absence of sleep disorders or disorders. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Association recommend that adults should sleep 7 hours or more each night to maintain optimal health.

The study involved 1,759 participants from the Atherosclerosis Sleep Study Multi-Ethnic Study, who were followed for a median of seven years. Sleep patterns and duration were measured over 7 days using a wrist actigraph, a non-invasive technology that monitors activity and rest cycles. A total of 176 people died during the study period.

"If sleep were an eight-hour pill, then taking the full dose regularly and consistently would be beneficial," Zhong said.

(Compiled by: Wang Jimin)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)