Sleeping for seven hours per night can extend lifespan
Getting about seven hours of sleep a night can significantly extend your life.
Analyzing data from health insurance company Vitality and the London School of Economics, researchers found that people who slept well were 24 percent less likely to die prematurely.
The report suggests that consistent, healthy sleep routines can increase life expectancy by two to four years.
The findings were based on a massive dataset tracking 47 million nights of sleep from people around the world. Despite the benefits, the research found that nearly 90 per cent of Britons have poor sleep habits, such as irregular bedtimes, insufficient sleep or restless nights caused by stress.
In the UK, 41 per cent of adults sleep less than seven hours a night. Just 42 per cent can manage the NHS recommended seven to eight hours. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to higher rates of mental health problems and physical ailments such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Vitality Deputy CEO Dr. Katie Tryon said the problem is often behavioral rather than medical.
He explained: “For most people, the problem is not a disorder, but a routine.
“Going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night or picking up a book instead of watching one more episode can make a significant difference over time.”
Researchers have calculated that ideal sleep habits, such as getting about seven hours of sleep and going to bed at the same time every night, can extend lifespan by up to four years. This compares with an estimated six-year gain from regular exercise and five years from maintaining a healthy weight.
The report warned that modern life is actively undermining active rest.
Experts said: “The glare of screens keeps us awake by tricking the brain into thinking it’s still daytime and suppressing melatonin, normally the precursor to sleep.”
Experts recommend keeping sleep and wake times consistent, avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed, and following a calming evening routine like reading a book.
Professor Joan Costa-i-Font, from the London School of Economics, said: “Sleep behaviors are not just about feeling rested. The potential impact on health and the economy is profound.”
