Discovering the optimal time to fall asleep, known as the ‘golden hour’, could enhance your health significantly.
It is widely recognized that sleep is crucial for maintaining good health, and a lack of sufficient rest can have numerous detrimental effects on our well-being.
For instance, consistently sleeping only six hours a night can lead to startling consequences, as illustrated by a fatigued and worn-out 3D model.
Aside from the duration of sleep, there is a proposed ‘sweet spot’ for the ideal time to drift off to sleep.
This concept was explored by the British Heart Foundation after a study appeared in the European Heart Journal in 2021.
The research involved 88,000 UK Biobank participants aged 43-74, who were observed over a one-week period.
Participants wore wrist monitors to track their sleep and wake times and completed a lifestyle habits questionnaire.
Over a span of six years, 3,172 individuals developed heart and circulatory diseases.
The study concluded that those who typically fell asleep between 10.00pm and 11.00pm had the lowest risk of heart and circulatory disease.
READ MORE: WOMAN WHO SUFFERED HEART ATTACK AGED 46 REVEALS UNEXPECTED SYMPTOMS
Conversely, individuals who fell asleep between 11.00pm and midnight had a 12 percent higher risk of developing heart and circulatory issues.
This risk more than doubled for those who usually went to bed after midnight.
Regina Giblin, a Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, has shared her insights on the study, emphasizing the importance of a restful night’s sleep regardless of bedtime.
“This large study suggests that going to sleep between 10 and 11pm could be the sweet spot for most people to keep their heart healthy long-term,” she said.
“However, it’s important to remember that this study can only show an association and can’t prove cause and effect. More research is needed into sleep timing and duration as a risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases.”
Giblin elaborated: “Getting enough sleep is important for our general wellbeing as well as our heart and circulatory health, and most adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
“But sleep isn’t the only factor that can impact heart health. It’s also important to look at your lifestyle as knowing your numbers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly, cutting down on salt and alcohol intake, and eating a balanced diet can also help to keep your heart healthy.”