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Sleep Well, Work Longer: The Key to Extended Careers
19 Aug
Summary
- Good sleep in middle age is linked to longer career duration.
- Disturbed sleep or oversleeping shortens working years.
- Finnish study analyzed over 70,000 public sector workers.
Research from Finland indicates that healthy sleep habits in middle age can significantly extend an individual's working life. The study found that individuals reporting no sleep disturbances had a considerably longer career expectancy compared to those with frequent sleep issues.
Analysis of data from over 70,000 public sector workers revealed that those sleeping between seven and eight-and-a-half hours without disturbances had the longest working life expectancy. This benefit was particularly pronounced in professional women, who, when reporting no sleep disturbances, approached a 14-year extended working life.
Conversely, the study linked longer sleep durations (over nine hours) and frequent sleep disturbances to shorter career spans. Men with severe sleep disturbances experienced the shortest working life expectancy. Researchers suggest that supporting recommended sleep length and quality may be essential for promoting continued participation in the workforce for older adults.
