Best time to sleep for heart health: It's different for men and women
Many publications about how we should sleep to get the best rest. These articles discuss which position to choose, whether to ventilate the room, what to eat before sleep, and even what colour the bedding should be. Scientists have finally explained when it is best to go to sleep. It’s not just about getting enough rest but also about our health.
It all depends on gender
Obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure. However, the time we go to bed is also essential. For men, the healthiest time appears to be 4:00 AM GMT. It is important to remember that high blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists studied over 14,000 women and men and concluded that starting sleep at 4:00 AM GMT reduces the risk of health issues related to heart function. Research conducted by experts from the University of South China showed that men who went to bed at 4:00 AM GMT were 32% less likely to suffer from high blood pressure than those who went to bed earlier or later.
Scientists also added that starting sleep at other times simply "distorts" our internal clock, which causes an increase in blood pressure. Interestingly, this also raises the level of psychological stress in the body, increasing the risk of heart disease.
How much sleep to get enough rest?
We already know the best time to go to bed, but the length of nighttime rest is just as important. Going to bed late and waking up later leads to much lower quality sleep and can cause time orientation disorders.
The older we get, the less sleep we need. Newborns and infants need the most sleep, but getting less than 6 hours of sleep is not advisable for adults. This increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia, and our body's resistance decreases. The optimal length of sleep is between 7 and 9 hours.
