Gaby
Quality nighttime rest is often associated with the number of hours we sleep. However, it turns out that the timing of when we go to bed is even more significant than the duration of our sleep.
A team of British sleep scientists discovered that the regularity of sleep and wake times is linked to overall health and the risk of premature death.
The study revealed that individuals who consistently sleep for 7 to 8 hours but have an irregular sleep schedule face a higher risk of strokes, heart attacks, and even cancer compared to those who sleep less but maintain a consistent routine.
What Did the Researchers Find?
The team analyzed sleep data from approximately 61,000 individuals obtained from the UK Biobank. In total, the researchers examined information related to over 10 million hours of sleep. Using advanced analytical methods, they compared participants’ sleep habits with mortality statistics, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
Overall, individuals with the most stable sleep and wake patterns had a 48 percent lower risk of death from all causes compared to those who neglected the regularity of their nighttime rest.
As the scientists noted, the findings of the study do not imply that one can thrive on just four hours of sleep per night while regularly falling asleep at 3 AM. Adequate sleep duration still matters.
Interestingly, participants who slept less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours per night faced an equally high risk of premature death.
While sleep duration remained important, the connection between irregular sleep patterns and mortality proved to be stronger and more consistent.
The researchers hope that these results will help healthcare professionals reconsider sleep recommendations.
The study’s findings were published in the journal Sleep.
