Tips, news, and resources on sounder sleep, natural health, and financial success.

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In Today's Chat

2. World Sleep Day

3. How Much Sleep is Healthy?

Today's Quote

–Albert Einstein

World Sleep Day and How Much Sleep is Healthy?

World Sleep Day is sponsored by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM). The purpose of this day...and of National Sleep Awareness Week...is to celebrate sleep. And to bring attention to the vital health importance of sleep.

The WASM slogan for 2013 is Good Sleep, Healthy Aging.

In addition, the WASM wants people to know that sleep disorders are a global health threat, yet with awareness, they can be prevented and treated.

I have stated on my sleeppassport.com website many times that people are not taking sleep seriously. In our world society that runs 24 hours a day, people feel they must give something up to get everything done.

So, they cut back on sleep. And they don't get enough sleep. Or in some cases, they get too much sleep because of lifestyle and mental exhaustion.

The question then is...

How much sleep is needed for good health?

However, one recent study has put a pin in that sleep time balloon.

Renowned sleep expert Dr. Daniel Kripke's study showed that the real dangers of the effect of sleep on how long you will live boil down to this: short sleepers and long sleepers.

Short sleepers are adults who night after night, sleep less than 5 hours per night.

Long sleepers are adults who night after night, sleep 9 or more hours per night.

What Kripke found was that short sleepers and long sleepers are at greater risk of death as they age because of this sleeping pattern.

The surprising finding though was that the “sweet spot” for the best chances of living a longer life were those people who slept between 5 and 6.5 hours per night.

Here's what I think this all means

* creates hormonal problems

* is associated with higher risk of diabetes

* weakens the immune system

* is a major cause of obesity

* may be a link factor in some cancers

* can cause psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mental decline

* and is one of the biggest factors in road death from falling asleep at the wheel

And those who sleep 9 hours or more also have their own health issues that may be causing them to sleep these long hours.

The key point here is that quality of sleep is just as important as quantity.

Not only that, there is evidence showing that those who sleep better may live longer. If you are looking for the Fountain of Youth, you might want to look for it under the sheets on your bed.

Here's my takeaway message for this World Sleep Day email.

For most adults, shoot for around 7 hours of good, solid, quality sleep every night. As people reach middle age and older, sleep changes. So if you are in that 5 to 7 hour sleep range every night...and you get good quality sleep...don't worry anymore that you are not getting enough sleep.

This is especially important to keep in mind if you are over age 60. Stop worrying about not sleeping long enough. It's not ruining your health.

If you wake up refreshed after 6 hours, yippee!

I have written a great deal about sleep disorders and sleep deprivation on my website, sleeppassport.com

For example, if snoring is a problem for you, or a bed partner, check out the snoring section of my website.

If excessive daytime fatigue plagues you...and you snore...you may have sleep apnea. Learn all about sleep apnea on my website too.

World Sleep Day is all about learning about sleep, good sleep habits, and using sleep to get and stay healthy.

So take some time to read some of the articles on my website. You'll know more about sleep than most people on this planet.

And share these articles with people you care about so they sleep better too.

As Albert Einstein mentioned in today's quote, we must give back. I too strongly believe we have an obligation in this life to share what we know to help others.

I'm sharing what I know about sleep and health. I've been studying this stuff for years. Take advantage of it.

What's coming up

Until then, I'm outta' here.

Life is a journey. Keep exploring.

Rich

Rich Silver
Sleep & Health Writer
Copywriter/Consultant
P.O. Box 95
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Sleep Passport

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