If you ever told yourself, “I’ll sleep later,” science suggests it might be costing you more than you think. A new US study reveals that sleep may influence your lifespan more than diet or exercise—two lifestyle factors we usually treat as non-negotiable pillars of good health.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) analyzed national health data from 2019 to 2025 and discovered a powerful trend:
People who sleep less than seven hours per night consistently show lower life expectancy, regardless of their diet, education, or activity levels.
Sleep physiologist Andrew Mc Hill summed it up perfectly:
“I didn’t expect insufficient sleep to be so strongly correlated to life expectancy.”
Surprisingly, of all lifestyle factors, only smoking showed a stronger association with reduced lifespan.
So how big is the risk? Real Percentages Explained.
While the OHSU study ranked sleep as a major predictor, it didn’t publish exact percentages. However, several related peer-reviewed studies did provide measurable data on how sleep patterns affect mortality risk.
Here’s what scientific research shows:
These findings give us a clearer picture of how sleep stacks up compared to other habits—and why prioritizing good sleep is non-negotiable.
The following chart visualizes the percentages from referenced scientific studies:
This chart helps illustrate how poor sleep, inactivity, and smoking compare in real-world health impact.
Real research-backed percentages
- Short sleep (<6 hours): 16% higher risk of early death
Source: University of Sydney study on sleep & mortality - Long sleep (>9 hours): 37% higher mortality risk
Source: EurekAlert research summary - Physical inactivity: 41% higher mortality risk
- Healthy sleep patterns: 24%–42% lower mortality risk
Source: Harvard & American Heart Association sleep studies - Smoking: Remains the highest lifestyle-related mortality risk (reinforced by OHSU ranking)
Why Sleep Matters So Much?
Missing even one night of solid sleep affects your body more than you realize:
- It disrupts brain function
- Weakens the immune system
- Impacts metabolic health
- Raises the risk of obesity and diabetes
- Increases inflammation
All of these problems pile up and can chip away at long-term health—and ultimately, longevity.
The Good News: Sleep Is Fixable
Unlike genetics, age, or environmental factors, sleep is something most people can improve.
Even simple changes help:
- Stop doomscrolling before bed
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule
- Try calming practices like yoga or breathing exercises
- Limit caffeine late in the day
- Create a comfortable, dark sleep environment
Both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend aiming for at least 7 hours per night.
Mc Hill puts it best:
“Getting a good night’s sleep will improve how you feel—but also how long you live.”
#SleepHealth #Longevity #Wellness #HealthyLiving #ScienceNews