Good quality sleep is healthier than dozing for long periods, study finds

15 March 2023 , 18:03

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Research suggests a 'strong relationship' between sleep quality and wellbeing (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Good quality shut-eye may be better for a healthy and happy life than how long we sleep, a study suggests.

Researchers found those with uninterrupted nights reported a boost in wellbeing.

Quality shut-eye is usually defined as being able to fall asleep within 15 minutes and not waking up too many times.

Author Dr Shuai Yuan, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said: “Better sleep means a better quality of life.

“While when we sleep and how long we sleep is important, individuals who have better quality sleep also have a better quality of life, regardless of the time and length of sleep.”

'My neighbour's screaming baby keeps me up all night - I'm sick of it'

Research suggests it's better to drift off quickly for a good sleep (Getty Images)

Experts recommend getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

Researchers from the Charles University in Prague and the Czech Academy of Sciences asked study participants about satisfaction, wellbeing, health, happiness and work stress.

They followed them for three years and wrote: “We found those whose sleep improved also had an improved quality of life.”

The research also looked at “social jetlag” where people stay up later and have lie-ins on the weekend, then switch back to weekday sleeping patterns.

The researchers wrote: "The study suggests, with the exception of extremes, that sleep duration alongside the differences in sleep habits on workdays and free days is not as important to the quality of life as what is considered a good night's sleep."

Commenting on the study, Professor Neil Walsh, of Liverpool John Moores University, said the findings "indicate a strong relationship between self-reported sleep quality and quality of life".

The research is published in the journal Plos One.

Martin Bagot