Poor Sleep Linked too Lower Rates of ‘Prosperous Aging’ in New Study
BEIJING – A new study reveals a strong correlation between sleep patterns and healthy aging, finding that individuals with consistently “normally stable” sleep – defined as seven to eight hours per night – demonstrated the highest rates of “successful aging,” while disrupted sleep habits correlated with poorer outcomes.
Researchers categorized participants’ sleep duration into three groups: less than seven hours (“briefly stable”), seven to eight hours (“normally stable”), and more than eight hours (“stable for a long time”). They also tracked whether sleep duration increased or decreased over the observation period.
While 80 percent of participants remained free of serious chronic illnesses throughout the study, only 13.8 percent met the criteria for successful aging.Analysis showed those with a “normally stable” sleep pattern had the greatest chance of achieving this benchmark. Both normal and long-stable sleep patterns were beneficial, while other habits reduced the likelihood of successful aging.
The findings, as reported by T-Online.de, suggest chronic short sleep elevates stress hormones and inflammation, potentially leading to cognitive decline, muscle loss, and metabolic disorders. Long-term sleep issues can also be indicative of underlying conditions like sleep apnea and depression.
Experts recommend prioritizing sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality.Suggestions from NDR.de include avoiding stimulating activities like exciting films before bed, ceasing exercise shortly before bedtime, and keeping the bedroom a work-free zone. Maintaining a cool, dark room – ideally around 18 degrees Celsius – can also promote melatonin release and facilitate easier sleep onset.
