Want to Reduce the Risk of Death? Sleep Well

Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that participants in a new study who maintained a regular and healthy sleep schedule had a 40% lower risk of early death compared to those who did not. The research team used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a medical research study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that assessed 1,750 participants over an average follow-up period of seven years. Approximately 1,015 participants were classified as "regular" sleepers, while 744 were considered "irregular," according to Medscape, which reviewed the study. During the follow-up period, 176 individuals died. The results suggest the benefits of expanding the public conversation about getting a "good night's sleep" to include the goal of having many consecutive good nights of sleep during both weekdays and weekends, according to research led by John Chung. The findings were presented at the regular meeting of professional sleep associations in Indianapolis, Indiana, last week. Chronic sleep deprivation has long been associated with health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning, even on weekends.