According to researchers at the University of Warwick in England, sleeping less than six hours a night can increase one’s risk of premature death.
A press release issued by the researchers states: "Modern society has seen a gradual reduction in the average amount of sleep people take, and this pattern is more common amongst full-time workers, suggesting that it may be due to societal pressures for longer working hours and more shift-work…Consistently sleeping 6 to 8 hours per night may be optimal for health."
Oversleeping, on the other hand, does not increase the risk of premature death but could be a symptom of a serious illness. To have good health, researchers recommend a regular sleep of six to eight hours.
Researchers analyzed 16 sleep studies, with a total of 1.3 million participants who were followed for 25 years. During the study, there were 100,000 deaths.
Not getting enough sleep exposes people to illnesses including diabetes and hypertension, high levels of bad cholesterol and obesity.
Unfortunately, in our society people are sleeping less and less.