A major study suggests good sleep habits could extend life expectancy by around four years — but up to nine in 10 people do not meet optimal sleep patterns. Research published by insurer Vitality and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) drew on data from more than 47 million nights of sleep from more than 100,000 people.

According to a significant study, cultivating healthy sleep habits might boost life expectancy by approximately four years, yet nearly 90% of people fall short of achieving ideal sleep routines. The research, conducted by insurer Vitality alongside the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), analyzed data from over 47 million nights of sleep, gathered from more than 100,000 participants.

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The participants equipped themselves with devices to monitor their sleep patterns. Researchers then correlated this data with health and wellness records, insurance claim information, and socio-demographic details.

The research further indicated that establishing regular sleep practices could potentially extend an individual’s life expectancy by up to four years.

Chronic sleep loss has been linked to increased risk of conditions including heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Dr Katie Tryon, deputy chief executive at Vitality, said: “Sleep has long been known to be of clinical relevance but it has not been considered to be a daily habit, like physical activity, that can be tracked and improved. 

“For most people, the problem is not pathology, but routine. Reframing sleep in this way shifts the agenda — it makes sleep a behaviour that can be tracked, nudged, and reinforced.

“Getting to bed 15 minutes earlier every night, or picking up a book rather than watching one more episode can make a significant difference over time to sleep quality — and this data shows just how much the individual and society can benefit.”

Vitality’s four tips to improve sleep:

• Setting a consistent bedtime — helps regulate your body clock and makes it easier to fall asleep, improving sleep quality over time
• Reducing screen use in the hour before bed — blue light exposure and digital content increases mental stimulation, which can delay melatonin release and keep you feeling alert
• Establishing a calming evening routine — this signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down, helping you transition into sleep
• Track your sleep: By using a device or other method to record and understanding how long you sleep for and from what time enables you to better understand your own behaviour and consistency, and where any changes would be beneficial, especially when seen over a longer time period

The research also estimated that improving the sleep habits of around a quarter of the 90% who do not meet optimal patterns could save the NHS £1.35billion per year.

Professor Joan Costa-i-Font, an expert in health exonomics at LSE, said: “The research makes it clear that better sleep behaviours aren’t just about feeling rested, they’re fundamental to long-term health and wellbeing investment. 

“The subsequent impact on productivity cannot be overstated. This report brings together extensive evidence to show the scale of benefits that improved sleep could deliver.

“If individuals and organisations act on these insights, the potential impact on the health of their employees and the wider economy is profound.”