Healthy sleep patterns in midlife linked to longer working life expectancy
Healthy sleep patterns in midlife are linked to longer working life expectancy, findings from a large study of working-age men and women suggest. The study was published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
A new study suggests that maintaining healthy sleep patterns during midlife can lead to a longer working life expectancy. The research, published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, analyzed data from two large surveys of working-age individuals in Finland. Very disturbed sleep, defined as issues falling or staying asleep, waking up too early, or experiencing nonrestorative sleep, was linked to a reduction in workforce participation of around 9 months.
Similarly, longer sleep durations of 9 or more hours per night were associated with a decrease in working life expectancy. The study found that people with no sleep disturbances had a working life expectancy of 13 years and 5 months, while those with moderate sleep disturbances saw a reduction to 13 years, and those with severe sleep disturbances had a working life expectancy of 12 years and 10 months.
Short and mid-range sleep lengths were both associated with a working life expectancy of 13 years and 2 months, while long nightly sleep was linked to a working life expectancy of 12 years and 5 months. The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing sleep health and managing disturbances, particularly among individuals with lower socioeconomic status, to potentially extend their working careers.
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