New Study Identifies Five Distinct Sleep Profiles-And Yoru Pattern Could Reveal Hidden Health Insights
LONDON – A groundbreaking new study has revealed that sleep isn’t a one-size-fits-all phenomenon,identifying five distinct “sleep types” linked to both mental and cognitive health. Researchers have found correlations between specific sleep patterns and conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to memory impairment and increased aggression. Understanding which profile you fit into could be a crucial first step toward improving your overall wellbeing.
The research, led by Valeria Kebets, categorizes sleepers based on patterns of sleep quality, duration, and the use of sleep aids.The first profile is marked by poor sleep quality – frequent awakenings, difficulty falling asleep, and a feeling of unrest – and is frequently associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, and stress. Brain scans of individuals in this group showed diminished connectivity between brain networks involved in introspection and attention,possibly indicating ”disruptions in the brain’s ability to navigate between the inner and outer world,” according to New Scientist.
Interestingly, the study also identified a group whose mental health is fragile despite maintaining good sleep – a phenomenon researchers termed “sleep resilience.” A third profile encompasses those who rely on sleeping pills, both medicated and natural, to achieve adequate sleep, and this group exhibited a link to reduced memory function and difficulty recognizing emotions in others.
Those consistently sleeping less than seven hours a night fall into a fourth category, demonstrating poorer accuracy and slower reaction times on cognitive tests, alongside a tendency toward aggressiveness – a trait also observed in the fifth and final sleep type. This last group consists of individuals who experience frequent nighttime awakenings, often linked to problems with language, memory, and increased anxiety.
“This brings us closer to understanding the complex relationship between sleep and health,” New Scientist reports. Recognizing your own sleep profile, researchers suggest, is a valuable step toward self-awareness and potentially addressing underlying health concerns. However, they emphasize that it’s also entirely possible to simply sleep well at night.
