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A full, quality night’s sleep may be more critical to longevity than we think.
A new study conducted by Oregon Health and Science University found that people who regularly sleep poorly have shorter lifespans.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal SLEEP Advances.
Extensive data analysis across the US
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Researchers examined the US national database, comparing county-by-county life expectancy data with detailed survey results collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2019 and 2025.
When lifestyle factors affecting lifespan were evaluated, sleep duration came to the fore by far. The relationship between sleep and life expectancy; It was found to be stronger than nutrition, physical activity and social isolation.
In the study, it was stated that the only factor more effective than sleep was smoking.
‘I did not expect such a strong relationship’
The study’s senior author, Andrew McHill, of the OHSU School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Oregon Occupational Health Sciences Institute, said the results surprised even him:
“I didn’t expect there to be such a strong correlation with life expectancy. We’ve always known that sleep is important, but this research shows very clearly that people really should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night if possible.”
It even surpassed sleep, nutrition and exercise
Scientists have long recognized that adequate sleep is important for overall health. However, this study found that the impact of insufficient sleep on lifespan was even more dominant than classic health indicators such as diet and exercise.
McHill described this situation with these words: “It makes logical and intuitive sense, but it was still striking that it appeared so strongly in all models. As a sleep physiologist, I know the benefits of sleep, but even I was surprised by the strength of the link between sleep adequacy and life expectancy.”
Previous studies have shown that poor sleep increases the risk of death. However, this study is the first to reveal the relationship between sleep duration and life expectancy by year in all states in the USA.
The researchers used the CDC’s definition of “adequate sleep.” Accordingly, getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night also coincides with the recommendations of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Association.
Why does sleep affect lifespan?
The research did not directly examine the biological mechanisms of why sleep affects lifespan. However, McHill pointed out that sleep plays a vital role in heart health, immune system and brain functions.
