Sleep
Going to bed at the same time may matter as much as how long you sleep
Moderate evidenceStudy published Jan 2024 · 3 min read
The takeaway
People with the most regular sleep timing had a lower risk of early death than those with irregular schedules.
Why this matters to you
Most advice focuses on hours of sleep. Regularity is something many people can change without sleeping more.
What the researchers did
About 60,000 adults wore wrist trackers for a week. Researchers scored how consistent their sleep times were, then followed their health for around 7 years.
What they found
- The most regular sleepers had a 20–48% lower risk of dying during follow-up than the least regular.
- Regularity predicted risk better than total sleep hours did.
How strong is the evidence?
Big study with objective measurement, but observational — other lifestyle factors may play a role.
What this does NOT mean
- One late night is not harmful.
- Shift workers were not the focus; advice may differ for them.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Could my sleep pattern be affecting my health?
- Should I be checked for a sleep disorder?
Science Decoded is open access.
Supporters keep it that way.