A recent study suggests that getting more than seven hours of sleep each night could be essential for healthy aging, supporting both physical and mental well-being into later life. Conducted by Wenzhou Medical University, the study followed 3,306 participants over the age of 45 and monitored their sleep patterns and health status over several years.
Researchers analyzed sleep data from 2011, 2013, and 2015, then evaluated participants’ health in 2020. Successful aging was defined as remaining free of major chronic diseases, retaining high cognitive function, maintaining good mental health, and staying actively engaged in life. The study revealed that those who regularly achieved at least seven hours of sleep were far more likely to age successfully, with 307 of the 455 participants meeting all the successful aging criteria consistently getting over seven hours of sleep.
Participants were grouped based on sleep patterns into five categories: those with a stable 8-9 hours, stable 7-8 hours, decreasing from over 8 hours to below 6, increasing from below 6 hours to over 8, and stable 5-6 hours. Among these, those in the “long stable” (8-9 hours) and “normal stable” (7-8 hours) groups had the highest rates of successful aging, while those with fluctuating or consistently low sleep had reduced odds of aging well.
While the study could not confirm a direct cause-and-effect link, it highlights the potential health benefits of a consistent, adequate sleep routine. With the global population aging rapidly, especially in countries like China, the findings underscore the importance of sleep in maintaining health across generations.
“These findings underscore that chronic sleep deprivation and inconsistent sleep patterns are not just age-related changes,” the researchers noted. “Instead, they are pivotal indicators of obstacles in the pursuit of successful aging.”
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