Researchers have discovered a connection between sleep duration and mortality risk. And they say there’s a critical two-hour window for sleep that everyone should aim for to sidestep negative consequences. The team analysed nearly 80 prior studies on sleep patterns, which included data from over two million participants.

Their findings indicated that sleeping for more than nine hours each night was linked to a “34% higher risk of mortality”. On the flip side, those who slept for less than seven hours faced a 14% increased risk of dying. This two-hour golden period for rest aligns with NHS guidelines for healthy adults, though it acknowledges that people’s needs may vary based on factors like age and overall health conditions.

The study authors from Semmelweis University in Hungary suggested that prolonged sleep could be a sign of death risk because it might reflect underlying illnesses. For instance, an untreated heart condition could cause excessive tiredness.

In particular, women who slept over nine hours had a 41% greater risk of mortality compared to those with standard sleep lengths.

The research underscored that achieving between seven and eight hours of sleep is the sweet spot for optimal health.

However, when comparing studies on long and short sleep patterns, the researchers found some inconsistencies in the results of the long sleep studies. The study said: “This suggests that the effects of long sleep duration on mortality risk are more inconsistent in magnitude and possibly direction across different studies.”

For future studies, the experts recommended examining the relationship between sleep duration and specific causes of death to “better understand how even slight deviations from optimal sleep duration influence health outcomes”.

A good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining various bodily functions, including mental health, physical energy levels, and cognitive function.

The NHS cautions that persistent sleep problems can impact relationships, social life, and daily tasks, leading to fatigue, increased appetite and decreased productivity.

While some people may naturally be light sleepers or experience occasional difficulties falling asleep or waking up, consistent sleep issues could indicate an underlying sleep disorder.

Common symptoms of sleep disorders include:

• Finding it difficult to fall asleep
• Lying awake at night for long periods
• Waking up several times during the night
• Waking up early and being unable to fall asleep again
• Having a lower mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability

Altering routines, such as hitting the sack earlier and engaging in daytime physical activity, can aid in managing sleep disorders at home. Nonetheless, there may be instances where medical intervention is required. Further details can be found here.