Scientists arrived at the result after analysing data from 16 studies involving more than 1.5 million participants.
They found "unequivocal evidence" of a direct link between sleeping less than six hours a night and dying prematurely.
People who regularly had this little sleep were 12% more likely to die over a period of 25 years or less than those who got the recommended six to eight hours.
An association was also seen between sleeping more than nine hours a night and early death. This was thought to be due to long-sleeping being a marker of serious underlying illness rather than any effect of sleep itself.
Professor Francesco Cappucio, head of the Sleep, Health and Society Programme at the University of Warwick, said: "Whilst short sleep may represent a cause of ill-health, long sleep is believed to represent more an indicator of ill-health.
"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. On the other hand, the deterioration of our health status is often accompanied by an extension of our sleeping time."
The research, reported in the journal Sleep, reviewed 16 prospective studies from the UK, US, Europe and Asia which together monitored more than 1.3 people for up to 25 years.
In total, more than 100,000 deaths were recorded during the observation periods.
Pooling together data in this way, known as meta-analysis, can indicate patterns and trends that may not be obvious in individual studies.
Sleeping less than six hours a night increases the risk of early death, it has been claimed. This is can lead to some major health problems including infertility, depression, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Every part and function of our body, including our immune system, needs a proper amount of sleep; at least 8 hours per night.
Some research in animals has even shown that a lack of sleep is a sure route to an early and premature death. Without the proper time of sleep for the repairing and rebuilding processes of your body to take place, every part of your body is over worked and pushed to exhaustion and eventually, just like a car trying to run on fumes, it will give out.
How to get enough sleep? Here some tips
1. One great insomnia tip is to make your bedroom a quiet sanctuary that creates a tranquil atmosphere. How can you expect to sleep if you have loud music blaring, overhead lights glaring or family members wandering in staring and asking questions? Use your bedroom only for sleeping purposes and soon your mind will begin to understand the relation between bed and sleep. Don't make it a practice to watch T.V. or read in bed. Also, try installing dark shades in the room. There are many window covering treatments that will help you darken the room so that light is not an issue when you want to sleep. The bedroom should be a place of peaceful solitude, not an entertainment center.
2. Rub your neck and shoulders with scented essential oils such as jasmine, patchouli or sandalwood. Just a little will do the job and the fragrant oil is a top sleeping aid as it lulls your mind into a blissful, relaxed state.
3. Keep active during the day and don't take those "cat naps" in between work hours. Periodic, intermittent naps are not that restful and they are a top cause of sleeping problems. Many parents encourage their tots to play hard during the day, if they want them to sleep good that night. The same works for adults, too. The busier and more active you are during the day, the more tired you will be at night, increasing your chances of a good night's sleep without any additional sleeping aid being needed.
4. Eliminate cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, sodas and other stimulants if insomnia is a worry. You should avoid these products all during the day, but many people with sleeping problems find that they no longer need any extra assistance once they break the caffeine and stimulant habit.
5. For insomnia concerns a warm, non-caffeinated drink about 30-60 minutes before bedtime will be a wonderful and effective sleeping aid. You can try milk, green tea or another herbal beverage of your choice to cure your insomnia. The warmth of the beverage is a key factor and you need to drink it slowly to maximize the calming effect.
Many people like to try meditating just before bedtime to help them fall asleep This is another safe, effective and very natural sleep inducing technique that can be used as often as needed.
6. A gentle noise in the background can be just the soothing help that you need. You can find many electronic devices that provide sounds that are known as "white noise" which are powerful enough to distract your mind and let you beat your insomnia problem. The sounds could be those of the ocean, the rainforest or just the soothing sounds of an outdoor rain shower.
7. Bathing in comfortably warm, not hot, water can also be helpful in getting your mind and body ready for sleep. The warm water will relax your body and lull your mind into a tranquil state. Keep your bedroom cool and comfortable so that warm temperatures are not responsible for making you unable to get to sleep. Some people find that a fan or an open window is just the key step they need to battle insomnia.
8. Reading for about 30-45 minutes just before bedtime can be a great way to beat insomnia issues. When you are reading make sure that you are in a room other than your bedroom though, or you will just be defeating the relaxing purpose of this activity.
For more info please read this,
47 Tips To Get A Better Night' Sleep
"47 Tips To Get A Better Nights Sleep"
Quit Snoring Now: Discover How to Stop Snoring Quickly & Easily
Source : Yahoo News,Isnare
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