Doctor Warns That Sleeping Too Little—or Too Much—Could Lead to an Early Death
A doctor has issued a stark warning: failing to get enough sleep each night could significantly shorten your lifespan. For those who stay up late into the early hours, this is a wake-up call.
While staying up late can be tempting, the impact on your long-term health may be severe. The NHS recommends that adults aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but reaching this target can be challenging with busy schedules. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene—like putting down your phone or skipping a late-night Netflix binge—can make a big difference.
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Medical professional Dr. Dan Friedrich recently took to TikTok to explain why getting enough sleep is essential for long-term health. “If you think you can survive on only four to five hours of sleep every night, you're setting yourself up for an early death,” Dr. Friedrich warned.
He highlighted research that consistently shows the ideal sleep range for adults is between six and eight hours, with at least seven hours as the target for most people. Surprisingly, he also cautioned against sleeping too much, adding that exceeding nine hours nightly can also harm health.
“Sleeping less than five hours is the worst thing you could do,” Dr. Friedrich emphasized. Studies link insufficient sleep to increased mortality rates, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions.
Supporting his claims, research from University College London found that older adults who sleep less than five hours a night are 25% more likely to face premature death. The study followed 7,864 people over the age of 50 in the UK, revealing that short sleep durations in older age correlate with a higher risk of developing multiple chronic health conditions.
Dr. Séverine Sabia, lead author of the study, explained, “Multimorbidity—the presence of two or more chronic conditions—is on the rise, and over half of older adults now have at least two long-term health issues.” The study found a strong association between short sleep duration and multimorbidity, stressing the need for public health measures that promote better sleep.
Dr. Sabia advised focusing on several key habits to improve sleep duration and quality:
- Maintain a Dark, Quiet Bedroom: This creates an environment conducive to restful sleep.
- Follow Good Sleep Hygiene Practices: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule and avoid screen time before bed.
- Keep the Room Comfortable: A cool temperature aids in falling and staying asleep.
- Exercise and Daylight Exposure: Both help regulate sleep cycles.
- Avoid Large Meals and Screens Before Bed: Both can disrupt sleep and reduce its quality.
With these tips, achieving better sleep quality is possible—benefiting both mental and physical health over time.