Wake Up to Some Important Surprises About Sleep Longevity Playbook
go to original June 1, 2023

Doctors know we need sleep. They just don’t know why. One theory is that it helps our brains perform “housekeeping” functions, like cleaning out waste, that it can’t do while we're awake. Too little sleep can be fatal. If you get less than 4 hours a night, you’re nearly three times more likely to die in six years.

Another surprise is this: if you sleep 10 hours or more each night, you're nearly twice as likely to die in that six-year time frame. And if you use sleeping pills, you have 1½ times the risk of mortality than those who never use pills.

Studies have shown that for you to function optimally all day, you need an average of about 7 hours of sleep each night. This amount of sleep is associated with the lowest rates of mortality from cancer, immune disease, and cardiovascular (heart and artery) problems. So form the healthy habit: go to sleep around the same time each night - and wake up healthier!

If you keep a nightlight on while you sleep, change the bulb from white or blue to red. Doctors say you'll get better rest.

Visit the Longevity Playbook website

Related: 3 Ways to Stop Waking Up Frequently During the Night and Improve Sleep (The Washington Post)