New Delhi, August 19: Insomnia or poor sleep quality can significantly affect working professionals, especially those over 50. A recent study from the University of Turku in Finland reveals that inadequate sleep can reduce working life by nearly nine months for individuals in this age group.
The study found that individuals suffering from serious sleep issues could expect to work about eight months less between the ages of 50 and 68 compared to their counterparts without sleep problems. Those with moderate sleep disturbances had a working life expectancy reduced by approximately five months. The impact varied based on gender and job type.
Researchers utilized data from the Finnish Public Sector (FPS) and Health and Social Support (HESSUP) studies, assessing sleep habits of participants over 50. Sleep issues included difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently at night, waking up too early, and not feeling refreshed despite adequate sleep.
Nightly sleep was categorized into three groups: less than seven hours, between seven and eight and a half hours, and nine hours or more. According to the research, those sleeping less than seven hours and those sleeping between seven and eight and a half hours had a working life expectancy of about 13 years and two months after age 50. In contrast, those sleeping nine hours or more had a reduced expectancy of around 12 years and five months.
The longest working life expectancy was observed among professional women without sleep issues, averaging nearly 14 years. Conversely, men with severe sleep problems had an expectancy of about 12 and a half years.
Dr. Sanna Myllyntausta, the lead researcher, noted it was surprising that there was not a significant difference in working life expectancy between those sleeping less than seven hours and those sleeping between seven and nine hours. However, she pointed out that prolonged sleep was linked to shorter working life and poorer health outcomes.
The researchers emphasized the need for greater attention to sleep health in middle age, particularly among those with lower socioeconomic status. They suggested that therapies through occupational health services and workplace sleep awareness programs could be beneficial for treating insomnia.
However, the researchers acknowledged that the study did not fully account for other significant factors, such as physical and mental health, pre-existing conditions, health-related habits, and shift work. Therefore, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep problems and reduced working life.
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