When we sleep soundly, we feel better and happier, according to a new study. It is not so much the number of hours of rest that is important, but the quality of sleep, according to its authors.

According to a recent study published in the specialized journal PLOS One, people who have restful and quality sleep experience more satisfaction in life, feel better physically and mentally, feel healthier and experience less stress at work.

In general, people are happier when they sleep well, noted its authors, researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. This is the first study to examine the long-term impact of sleep duration and quality on a person’s quality of life.

The quality of sleep affects our well-being

With the help of questionnaires, its authors compared the subjective assessments of life satisfaction, well-being, degree of happiness and health of the study participants regarding the duration of sleep, its quality and rest interval or so-called “social jetlag”.

The phenomenon of “social time lag” refers to the discrepancy between one’s own circadian rhythm (wake-sleep cycle) and social constraints. This problem can be faced, for example, by people who work in shifts, as well as “night birds” or “owls” – those people who go to bed late and wake up late. Social jet lag is associated with numerous health risks: restless sleep, hypertension, low cognitive ability, metabolic and psychiatric disorders.

Although the number of hours of sleep and the rest interval are no less important, the quality of sleep has the greatest influence on these analyzed parameters, according to the authors of the Czech study. “When we sleep and how long we rest are important, but people who have restful sleep also have a better quality of life, regardless of the interval and duration of sleep. In addition, following 4,523 people for three years, we noticed that those who improved their sleep also improved their quality of life,” concluded Mihaela Kudrnachova and Ales Kudrnach, study coordinators.

The transition to summer time affects the quality of sleep

More and more sleep experts are calling for an end to the practice of switching from winter time to summer time, as it disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm. By affecting sleep, the transition to summer time has many negative consequences for people’s health and well-being.

Sleep disturbances are one of the consequences of this convention, introduced during the First World War to save energy. Many people have trouble falling asleep or waking up in the days following daylight saving time.

The transition from winter time to summer time takes place every year on the last Sunday of March. This year, the hands of the clock will move forward one hour on the night of March 25-26, when 3.00 will become 4.00.

Although one of the arguments in favor of going to standard (winter) time is to reduce the risk of traffic accidents, recent studies show that it increases this danger, at least in the first week after the time change. Adaptation to a new sleep pattern takes about a week, and during this period we are more prone to traffic accidents, according to a study published in the American Economic Journal.

High risk of heart attack and stroke

Insufficient or restless sleep reduces attention and level of vigilance while driving, as well as in everyday activities. Accidents at work are more frequent and more serious on the first Monday after daylight saving than on other days, and that’s because workers sleep an average of 40 minutes less, according to another study published in the Journal of Applied. Psychology.

Doctors of the American Academy of Neurology also noticed a temporary increase in the number of ischemic strokes after the transition of winter time to summer time. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke caused by a blood vessel in the brain being blocked by a blood clot.

According to a 2010-2013 study published in the BMJ, on the first Monday after daylight saving time, American doctors report a 24% increase in myocardial infarctions.

How to have a restful sleep: the advice of a sleep specialist

Sleep is learned in childhood, but it is cultivated throughout life, and lack of sleep leaves its mark, says Dr. Michaela Oros, a somnologist and member of the World Sleep Society and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep is one of our basic needs, but what do we do when we can’t rest?

If you also do not have a restful sleep and are looking for solutions to help you sleep well at night, come with us to the SmartLiving.ro event #Refericirea – What to do to feel good, to talk to specialists in the treatment of sleep problems ! The healthy lifestyle experts will come on Saturday, March 25 at ARCUB Gabroveni, Strada Lipscani 84-90, and help us focus on the small changes we can make to restore our balance.

Read the detailed program of the event here.

#Certificate is the first event to offer specific solutions for well-being recommended by psychologists and psychotherapists, nutrition experts, sleep specialists and relaxation specialists.

Access to the event is based on a ticket: 39 lei, a price that also includes surprises from our partners. Tickets can be purchased here.