What is the optimal amount of sleep for reducing early death risk according to the Vitality study?

The Vitality study indicates that seven hours of sleep per night, with a consistent bedtime, is optimal for reducing early death risk.

How much can better sleep habits save the NHS annually?

Improving sleep habits could potentially save the NHS £1.35 billion per year if a quarter of Britons adopt better sleep routines.

Why is bedtime consistency important for health, as highlighted by the LSE research?

Bedtime consistency helps regulate the body's internal clock, which is crucial for hormone release, blood sugar processing, and immune function.

Home / Health / Unlock Longevity: 7 Hours Sleep Cuts Early Death Risk

Unlock Longevity: 7 Hours Sleep Cuts Early Death Risk

7 Jan

•

Summary

Seven hours of consistent sleep lowers mortality risk by 24%.
Poor sleep habits increase hospitalisation risk by 7%.
Improving sleep could save the NHS £1.35 billion annually.

Unlock Longevity: 7 Hours Sleep Cuts Early Death Risk

Adopting consistent sleep habits could dramatically reduce the risk of early death by nearly a quarter, adding up to four years to life expectancy. A comprehensive analysis revealed that individuals achieving seven hours of sleep with a regular bedtime experienced a 24% lower mortality risk.

Conversely, those regularly sleeping fewer than six hours faced a 20% higher likelihood of premature death. The study also underscored the financial strain of poor sleep on healthcare systems, estimating annual savings of £1.35 billion for the NHS if a quarter of Britons improved their sleep patterns.

Researchers emphasize that sleep should be treated as a daily, improvable behavior like diet or exercise. Measures such as maintaining a fixed bedtime and establishing a wind-down routine are crucial. Consistency in bedtime was found to be a stronger predictor of health than total sleep duration, mitigating risks associated with disrupted biological clocks.