Uncovering the Prevalence of Clinical Grade Sleep Issues and Its Impact on Biological Age

Uncovering the Prevalence of Clinical Grade Sleep Issues and Its Impact on Biological Age

Sleep is vital for our physical and mental well-being, yet many of us are not getting the quality rest we need. According to the American Sleep Association, close to 40 million Americans suffer from a diagnosable sleep disorder – with the most common being insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.

Clinical grade sleep issues are often the result of changes in the body’s natural circadian rhythm or lifestyle factors like chronic stress and trauma. Left untreated, these conditions can have serious consequences on both physical and mental health. The National Institutes of Health estimates that as many as 50-70 million Americans may be at an increased risk due to poor quality of sleep they are getting each night.

In addition to resulting in short-term discomfort and fatigue, clinical-grade sleep issues could also lead to accelerated biological aging. A recent study published in the journal Sleep found that participants who slept less than six hours a night had shorter telomeres – structure at the end of chromosomes – on average than those who regularly got eight hours or more. Shorter telomeres are linked with biological age, so those with shorter telomeres were biologically older even though they were younger chronologically.

The findings emphasize how important it is for all of us to prioritize high-quality sleep as part of our daily routines. Consistent lack of restorative sleep can create imbalances in our bodies that could eventually lead to accelerated aging. Making sure we get enough quality rest each night should be an essential part of our self-care routine as it helps keep our bodies functioning at its peak performance and promotes a healthier lifestyle overall.

See how Life360 can help reduce biological aging with a clinical grade sleep test.