0
0
Have you ever experienced feeling older than your actual age? According to researchers at Stockholm University, the key to maintaining a youthful sense of age might lie in getting enough sleep. Their findings, published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reveal a direct relationship between sleep quality and subjective age.
“Feeling young is not just a matter of perception — it is actually related to objective health outcomes,” says Leonie Balter, a researcher at Stockholm University’s Department of Psychology.
The study, conducted with 429 individuals aged 18 to 70, explored the connection between sleep habits and subjective age. Participants were asked about their perceived age, sleep patterns over the past month, and feelings of sleepiness.
Results showed a clear correlation between insufficient sleep and feeling older. For every night of inadequate sleep within the past month, participants reported feeling, on average, 0.23 years older.
To further investigate this link, researchers conducted an experimental sleep restriction study involving 186 participants aged 18 to 46. During the study, participants experienced sleep restriction for two nights, with only four hours in bed each night, and then sufficient sleep for two nights, with nine hours in bed each night.
The impact of sleep on subjective age was profound. After sleep restriction, participants reported feeling, on average, 4.4 years older compared to when they had sufficient sleep.
Moreover, the severity of sleepiness played a significant role. Feeling extremely alert was associated with feeling four years younger than one’s actual age, while extreme sleepiness was linked to feeling six years older.
“These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing sleep for maintaining a youthful feeling,” says Balter. “Ensuring adequate sleep may not only contribute to feeling younger but also promote a more active lifestyle and healthy behaviors.”
The implications of this research extend beyond subjective age, emphasizing the critical role of sleep in overall well-being. By prioritizing sleep, individuals can potentially enhance their motivation for an active lifestyle and ultimately improve their health and quality of life.
