Getting less than five hours of shut-eye in mid-to-late life has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases

With the fast pace of modern life, getting enough sleep often drops down the list of priorities.

But while not everyone can get a solid eight hours of shut-eye each and every night, scientists are now urging people to focus on getting enough sleep as getting less than five hours in mid-to-late life has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases.

Researchers from University College London have analysed the impact of sleep duration on the health of more than 7,000 men and women at the ages of 50, 60, and 70 over the course of 25 years.

SLEEPING 5 HRS OR LESS LINKED TO INCREASED RISK OF MULTIMORBIDITY

Accordingly, they found that persons getting five hours of sleep or less at age 50 were 20 per cent more likely to have been diagnosed with a chronic disease and 40 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with two or more chronic diseases over 25 years, compared to people who slept for up to seven hours.

Additionally, sleeping for five hours or less at the age of 50, 60, and 70 was linked to a 30 per cent to 40 per cent increased risk of multimorbidity (two or more long-term health conditions) when compared with those who slept for up to seven hours.

“As people get older, their sleep habits and sleep structure change. However, it is recommended to sleep for seven to eight hours a night – as sleep durations above or below this have previously been associated with individual chronic diseases,” said lead author Dr Severine Sabia.

“Our findings show that short sleep duration is also associated with multimorbidity.

“To ensure a better night’s sleep, it is important to promote good sleep hygiene, such as making sure the bedroom is quiet, dark and a comfortable temperature before sleeping. It’s also advised to remove electronic devices and avoid large meals before bedtime. Physical activity and exposure to light during the day might also promote good sleep.”

The full results of the study have been published in PLOS Medicine.