A new study has found that sleeping less than seven hours regularly may be more harmful to life expectancy than well-known health risks like obesity or diabetes. Conducted in the United States and published in the scientific journal SLEEP Advances, the research shows a strong link between sleep duration and lifespan. The findings highlight how essential proper sleep is for long-term health.
Researchers analysed data from more than 3,000 counties in the US, comparing average reported sleep duration with the average lifespan in each county. They discovered that regions with higher rates of sleep deprivation had shorter lifespans. This pattern was observed across different types of communities—whether in busy urban cities or remote rural areas, in wealthy counties or poorer ones. Even within the same state, counties where residents slept less had lower life expectancy compared to neighbouring counties where people got more sleep.
Sleep is a basic requirement for health, just as important as eating well or exercising. Yet, millions of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep each night. “I did not expect it to be so strongly correlated to life expectancy,” said Andrew McHill, PhD, a sleep researcher and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University. He emphasised that sleep is not just about feeling rested during the day; it is vital for long-term health and longevity.
The study confirms what health experts have long recommended: adults should aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night. Proper sleep allows the body to repair itself, supports the immune system, regulates hormones, and helps the brain process information. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, can increase the risk of many health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health problems, and premature death.
When researchers compared sleep insufficiency with other common mortality risks, they found that it ranked very high. Smoking remained the top factor affecting lifespan, but insufficient sleep came second—higher than obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, unemployment, and even lack of health insurance. This finding is particularly eye-opening because sleep is often overlooked as a serious health risk.
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Dr McHill explained that getting adequate sleep may be one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect health and increase lifespan. Sleep deprivation affects almost every system in the body. It disrupts metabolism, weakens the heart, increases stress, and reduces the body’s ability to fight infections. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can accumulate and significantly reduce life expectancy.
The study also showed that lifestyle and environmental factors influence sleep patterns. Busy work schedules, long commutes, exposure to screens, and high-stress levels can all reduce sleep duration. In some counties, cultural habits and work demands make it harder for people to get the recommended hours of sleep, contributing to shorter lifespans in those regions.
Experts recommend practical steps to improve sleep. These include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, limiting screen time before sleep, and creating a calm, dark, and quiet sleeping environment. For those with sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea, consulting a doctor is important to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, this study reinforces that sleep is not a luxury but a critical health need. Adults should prioritize seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to maintain physical and mental health and increase lifespan. Ignoring sleep can be more dangerous than ignoring other well-known risks like obesity or diabetes. Proper sleep is a simple, natural, and powerful way to protect your health and live longer.
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