According to a new large-scale study, we can be divided into four categories based on our sleep habits.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the sleep patterns of nearly 3,700 volunteers. In their work, the scientists utilized data from a global study titled “Average Age in the U.S.” They were particularly interested in how participants rated their sleep over a ten-year period (2004-2014). Ultimately, these ratings helped the team uncover how people’s sleep patterns change with age and how these changes may be linked to the development of chronic diseases.
How the Study Was Conducted
Based on their sleep patterns, each participant fell into one of four categories: good sleepers, those who catch up on sleep over the weekends, those suffering from insomnia, and those who enjoy napping during the day.
Those in the first category reported that they always sleep well and feel satisfied and energized throughout the day.
The second category included volunteers who did not get enough sleep during the workweek and tried to make up for it on the weekends.
Meanwhile, more than half of the participants fell into the third and fourth categories. Those suffering from insomnia generally slept less than respondents from all other groups. They reported feeling tired and dissatisfied with their nighttime rest. On the other hand, those who enjoyed napping during the day typically slept well at night.
Next, the team examined the patterns of disease risk among individuals in these four groups. To do this, the researchers primarily controlled for key factors such as overall health, socioeconomic status, and work environment.
What the Scientists Discovered
The researchers found that individuals suffering from insomnia had an 81 percent higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression compared to those who sleep well.
The likelihood of developing diabetes was 128 percent higher among those who enjoy napping during the day (compared to those who sleep well). Additionally, participants in the fourth category reported a 62 percent higher level of fatigue, as reported by the Daily Mail.
According to Sumi Lee, director of the Sleep, Stress, and Health Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, there are many factors that help explain these patterns. For instance, those suffering from insomnia are often unemployed or have lower levels of education.
These results may indicate that our sleep habits are very difficult to change, the scientist noted. At the same time, people are often unaware of the importance of sleep and do not know what sleep patterns are optimal for good health.
“There are rules that people could follow to improve their sleep; for example, avoiding mobile phones in bed, exercising regularly, and steering clear of caffeine in the afternoon,” Ms. Lee pointed out.
What Other Scientists Think
Previous studies have shown that a lack of sleep can increase the risk of developing dementia, stroke, heart attack, and liver diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), insufficient sleep means that a person’s body and mind do not have enough time to recover from daily stress. Chronic stress, as we know, is a factor in the development of numerous ailments.
Strangely enough, doctors also consider excessive sleep to be quite harmful. According to Johns Hopkins University, oversleeping is associated with a high risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and depression. It often results in severe headaches.
Another theory suggests that daytime nappers tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI). Consequently, they are at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It has also been scientifically proven that excessive sleep increases the likelihood of inflammation in the human body.