Sleep study: Poor sleep costs over-50s nine
A Finnish study finds severe sleep disturbances or long sleep duration can shorten working life after 50 by up to nine months.
Severe sleep problems or sleeping too long can cost people over 50 up to nine months of their working lives. This finding comes from a study by researchers at the University of Turku in Finland, which also determined that women with no sleep issues had longer careers from 50 to 68 than their male counterparts.
The research team used data from the Finnish Public Sector study and the Health and Social Support study. They analyzed sleep habits after participants turned 50. Sleep length was categorized as short (under seven hours), mid-range (seven to 8.5 hours), or long (nine hours or more). Sleep disturbances included trouble falling or staying asleep, waking too early, and nonrestorative sleep in the month before the survey.
The Impact on Working Life Expectancy
Compared to people with no sleep disturbances, those with moderate problems could expect to work nearly five fewer months between ages 50 and 68. Those with severe disturbances lost eight fewer months. This effect held regardless of gender or job type.
Short and mid-range sleep were both linked to a working life expectancy of 13 years and two months after 50. Long sleep was associated with a shorter expectancy of 12 years and five months. You can explore more health and performance data on our stats page.
Gender and Socioeconomic Differences
The study revealed clear disparities. The longest working life expectancy, almost 14 years, was seen among professional women with no sleep disturbances. The shortest, nearly 12 and a half years, was observed among men in routine jobs who had severe sleep problems.
Lead investigator Dr. Saana Myllyntausta noted the socioeconomic angle. Our findings highlight the importance of supporting sleep health and treating sleep problems, particularly among those with low socioeconomic status, during middle age, she said.
Surprising Findings on Sleep Duration
Dr. Myllyntausta expressed surprise at one result. It was surprising that we found no differences between those with short sleep duration and those with mid-range sleep duration, that is 7 to 9 hours per night, which is considered the optimal amount of sleep, she stated.
She explained the link with long sleep. Long sleep duration, on the other hand, was associated with shorter working life expectancy, and it has also been linked to poorer health outcomes, which might explain the shorter working career.
Workplace Interventions for Better Sleep
The study points to practical solutions for extending careers. It suggests promoting sleep health is key for increasing workforce participation with age, especially for those with lower socioeconomic status. Understanding team dynamics and health, as seen in our squad overview, can be part of a holistic approach.
Effective support could come from occupational health services or the workplace itself. For example, interventions aimed at treating insomnia provided by occupational health services or workplace interventions, such as educational or health promotion interventions for sleep have been found in previous studies to be effective ways to support sleep among working-age adults, Dr. Myllyntausta added.
The researchers acknowledged limitations, noting they could not account for other factors like physical and mental health, underlying conditions, risky health behaviors, or shift work. The study's data connects sleep patterns directly to the length of a person's working life after 50.
