Study Finds That More Sleep Doesn't Always Lead to Better Outcomes

A new study by MIT economists has found that getting more sleep doesn't always lead to better outcomes. The study, which was conducted in Chennai, India, found that increasing participants' sleep by about half an hour per night did not improve their work productivity, earnings, financial choices, sense of well-being, or even their blood pressure. The only thing it did, apparently, was to lower the number of hours they worked.

The study's findings suggest that there is more to sleep than just quantity. Quality of sleep may also be important, and it's possible that the participants in the study were not getting good quality sleep, even though they were getting more sleep overall. Additionally, the study's participants were all low-income workers, and it's possible that the benefits of sleep would be different for people with different socioeconomic status.

Despite its limitations, the study's findings do raise some questions about the importance of sleep. If more sleep doesn't always lead to better outcomes, then what is the point of getting more sleep? And what can we do to improve our sleep quality?

Here are a few tips for improving your sleep quality:

• Create a relaxing bedtime routine. This could include taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to calming music.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. These substances can interfere with sleep.

• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. These conditions are ideal for sleep.

• Get regular exercise. Exercise can help you sleep better at night.

• See a doctor if you have chronic sleep problems. There may be an underlying medical condition that is interfering with your sleep.

The study's findings suggest that sleep is important, but it's not the only factor that determines our well-being. We also need to focus on quality of sleep and other lifestyle factors that can impact our health.

Sources

www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/quality-over-quantity-may-be-the-secret-to-better-sleep-351482

   -Unlikely Buddha 2023