What's More Important Than 8 Hours of Sleep? This Simple Habit Might Surprise You

Many people believe that getting a solid 8 hours of sleep is the key to success. But what if there was something even more important than those precious hours of shut-eye?

Believe it or not, there is hope for those of us who live (and forever try to sleep) in the real world... sleeping less than 8 hours of shut-eye a night doesn’t mean you’re doomed to an early grave or less dramatic but just as worrisome, a life filled with exhaustion, brain fog, weight gain and so much more.

A recent study looking at sleep and longevity found that sleep “regularity”— going to bed and waking up at consistent times with limited mid-slumber interruptions—matters more than how long you sleep. Check this out > according to sleep study scientists, sleeping 'only' 6 hours each night on a consistent basis, was associated with a lower risk of early death than sleeping eight hours with very irregular habits.

Let's say that again so it really sinks in.

 — Sleeping 6 hours every night consistently prolongs your lifespan more than 8 hours inconsistently. 

Well now that is a habit that surprised even us and we know a thing or two about all-things-sleep here at Best Rest. So what is the reasoning behind this claim?

Is it Time Management?

While time management is crucial for general productivity, there is something even more vital to your sleepy time success. It's actually about making the most out of every waking moment, seizing opportunities, and pushing yourself beyond your limits. Basically taking the waking hours and being hyper-focused, results driven and then leaving it all to the next day when the clock says it's closing time. If you haven't found that perfect alarm clock, let us recommend the Hatch. 

Prioritize Consistency - But Why?

The prospective cohort study found that regular sleep patterns are more crucial to health and longevity than spending  eight hours in bed. According to in depth research conducted by Oxford Academic, they used data from over 60,000 participants, (the study’s authors defined sleep regularity as day-to-day consistency in sleep-wake timing).

Participants in the top 20 percent for sleep regularity had a lower all-cause mortality risk than those in the bottom 20 percent who reported the most erratic slumber patterns. Their findings indicate that sleep regularity is an important predictor of mortality risk and is a stronger predictor than sleep duration. Sleep regularity may be a simple, effective target for improving general health and survival.

So what they are sharing is getting to bed at the same time and rising at the same time, regardless of the number of hours is proving to be stronger for adding more years to your life than the previously understood milestone of 8 hours of sleep per night. 

So, What is More Important?

While we have stated that researchers found no real connection between sleep duration and the chances of early death after adjusting for regularity, a regular six hours of shuteye a night was a better indicator of health than an erratic eight hour schedule. However, researchers still maintain that it’s very important to spend plenty of time in repose. 'Repose' means that you need to be disconnected from stimuli, ideally prone with all distractions disconnected and set aside. They emphasize that prioritizing both consistent quantity (be it 5, 6, 7 or 8 hours) and keeping regular with your sleep behavior is critical for optimal well-being and longevity.

There are many tools that can guide your meditation or bring down your nervous system in a powerful way and we are all loving the Sensate Relaxation Device.

So, the next time you find yourself sacrificing sleep yet again for your goals, 'don't sweat the small stuff' and remember that what truly matters is your mindset. With the right mindset, a manageable routine you can stick with whether your alone, traveling, juggling a houseful of kids, or work deadlines that cram your brain, you can achieve a sound, rested mind and body if you put a consistent routine place.

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