Hitting snooze might add years to your life.
The news: A study found that sleeping fewer than seven hours per night negatively impacts lifespan more than poor diet, physical inactivity, and loneliness — surpassed only by smoking.
Burnt. Researchers believe sleep’s foundational role in heart, immune, and brain function drives its outsized influence on longevity.
Unfortunately, quality rest remains elusive — one-third of US adults don’t get enough sleep, and only 7% report feeling well-rested. Often caused by stress, poor sleep amplifies anxiety, fueling a troubling cycle.
Inception. With high-performers recognizing the need for adequate shut-eye, the longevity and sleep economies are merging.
Eight Sleep, Somnee, and Hatch reengineer the wind-down, while supplement brands like AG1 and Seed launch melatonin-free mixes. Meanwhile, Equinox Hotels’ dedicated sleep lab aims to turn better rest into a five-star experience.
Punchline: True optimization will consistently fall short without basic sleep hygiene. The number one predictor of longevity, better shut-eye will depend on syncing lifestyles with daily rhythms that promote sleep — while minimizing its disruptors.
