Scientists now believe a certain activity could be a key to unlocking an increase in global life expectancy. Numerous research has found that by simply ensuring you are getting enough of it, individuals were able to successfully reach very old age. From lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and early onset dementia, this enjoyable and vital activity has been found to be key in the quest for longevity.
Countless studies have found that insufficient sleep increases a person’s risk of developing serious medical conditions, including obesity, diabetes, dementia and cardiovascular disease.
Lack of adequate sleep over time has been associated with a shortened lifespan.
This is because sleep is a busy time for the body with various processes being at work that help everything from your cardiovascular system to your brain function at their best.
In one study published in Oxford Academic sleep and mortality using a population-based 22-Year follow-up study was analysed.
In the study, 21,268 twins aged over 18 years responded to questionnaires by the Finnish Twin Cohort regarding sleeping habits.
Subjects were categorised as either short (less than seven hours), average, or long (over eight hours).
“Between 1975 and 1981, sleep length and sleep quality changed in one-third of subjects,” noted the study.
“In men there was a significant increase for stable short (1.34) and stable long (1.29) sleep for natural deaths, and for external causes in stable short sleepers (1.62).”
The study concluded: “Our results show complicated associations between sleep and mortality, with increased risk in short and long sleep.”
Reduces onset dementia risk
Studies have found that people in their 50s and 60s getting six hours of sleep or less were at greater risk of developing dementia later in life.
Compared to those getting normal sleep (defined as seven hours), people getting less rest each night were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
Other research has also suggested that sleep patterns earlier in life may contribute to later dementia risk.
Both insufficient sleep and sleeping longer than average have been linked to a greater likelihood of developing dementia.
