Majority of Irish adults get less than recommended sleep

Experts are warning that sleep loss is at epidemic stage in the developed world and poses serious threats to health and mental wellbeing. Professor Matthew Walker of the University of California, Berkeley, has listed out the frightening impact of getting inadequate kip in his new book on sleep science.He has described how “routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system, more than doubles your risk of cancer, disrupts blood-sugar levels, increasing your risk of diabetes, and increases the likelihood of blocked arteries, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke”.

Other experts have highlighted the importance of sleep in coping with stress and other mental health issues.

The WHO research has highlighted that in the developed world more women than men have used medication or attended a doctor for help with sleeping.

This international study also showed that as people get older, they sleep less.

A healthy teenager can expect to pack in almost 100% of the recommended sleep, whereas an elderly person might only hope for 70% or under, according to this research.

Source: Irish Mirror