Broken sleep makes you feel years older!
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Whether it’s an annoying cough, work-related stress, or just an inexplicable inability to sleep well for a couple of nights, we end up feeling old before our time. But now it’s official: It makes us feel decades older.
It’s hardly rocket science, is it?
Nevertheless, a team of psychologists in Sweden recently felt inclined to study the phenomenon.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, revealed that just two nights of broken sleep can make individuals feel significantly older.
The research, led by Dr. Leonie Balter from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, found that volunteers who were restricted to only four hours of sleep for two consecutive nights felt, on average, more than four years older.
Some even claimed to feel decades older due to the sleep deprivation.
Better sleep makes you feel much younger
Conversely, and hardly surprisingly, when participants were allowed to sleep for nine hours a night, they reported feeling, on average, three months younger than their actual age.
Dr. Balter emphasised the importance of consistent, restful sleep, stating that even short-term sleep disruptions can have a profound impact on how old people feel.
More about the sleep study
The study involved two separate investigations. The first study surveyed 429 individuals aged 18 to 70 about their perceived age and sleep quality over the past month.
Those who reported poor sleep felt on average three months older for each night of bad sleep, while those with no sleep issues felt nearly six years younger than their actual age.
The second study involved 186 volunteers aged 18 to 46 who were asked about their perceived age after two nights of either ample sleep (nine hours per night) or restricted sleep (four hours per night).
The results showed that after two nights of poor sleep, participants felt on average 4.44 years older.
Good sleep helps achieve infinitely better health
Beyond the immediate effects on perception, the study also highlighted the broader health implications of feeling older.
Dr. Balter makes the excellent point that feeling older can lead to unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical activity, and decreased social engagement.
She stressed the importance of protecting one’s sleep to maintain a youthful perception and associated health benefits.
The study does highlight the importance of enjoying good sleep to enhance our ability to make better food and drink choices as well as stretch our inclination to take healthy exercise and live an active lifestyle.
The study also explored the differences in sleep loss responses between morning and evening people.
Evening types generally felt older than their actual age even with ample sleep, while morning types were more affected by sleep disruptions.
Study calls for more research
While the results are promising, experts emphasise the need for further research, particularly focusing on older populations and the long-term effects of sleep deprivation.
Dr. Serena Sabatini from the University of Surrey highlighted the importance of understanding the cumulative effects of bad sleep over months and years.
In related research, a 10-year study involving over 4,000 Europeans found a strong link between regular exercise and improved sleep quality.
Those who exercised two to three times a week were 42% less likely to experience sleep problems and 55% more likely to be “normal sleepers” compared to inactive individuals.
Overall, the findings underscore the critical role of sleep in maintaining a youthful perception and overall health.
Consistent, quality sleep is not only essential for feeling younger but also for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and reducing the risk of sleep-related disorders.
Is there a solution for sleep problems?
The reviews of the book and video programme titled Allen Carr’s Easyway to Better Sleep, written by Allen Carr and John Dicey, are an insight into how well received the new sleep programme has been by those most in need of help with insomnia and broken sleep.
Regan in Canada gave the programme 5 stars writing:
“I really enjoy Allen Carr’s books. They resonate deeply. This one was no exception and offered perspectives on insomnia that I haven’t heard anywhere else. It gave me hope that there is a solution–and an obvious one at that!”
An anonymous reviewer in the USA also gave it 5 stars, writing:
“Because of this programme, I am able to finally leave my phone out of the bedroom for two nights in a row now and have a blissful sleep. I used to experience panic at the thought of not having my phone playing a documentary or a show or a podcast in the background as I was sleeping! Now, it’s easier to fall asleep, remain asleep throughout the night and wake up fresh and full of energy. Thank you so much for this!”.
Another 5-star review from Giulia in London:
“Perfect product very useful – huge thanks to Allen Carr’s Easyway team”
Why not take a look at the Allen Carr’s Easyway Online Video Programme for better sleep.
You can buy the paperback, e-book, or audio book in the UK (or any other online or high street bookstore) or from here in the USA or here in Canada (or any other online high street bookstore in your own country)
Further reading
- You can read The Guardian’s story about the study.
- You can read the recent BMJ study on the effect of broken sleep.
