This gold‑standard meta‑analysis pooled data from 25 prospective cohort studies and 1.3 million adults to understand how sleep duration relates to mortality. The findings reveal a clear U‑shaped relationship: both short sleep (<6 hours) and long sleep (>8–9 hours) are linked to higher all‑cause mortality. The lowest risk sits consistently around 7 hours per night, making it a powerful benchmark for healthy sleep habits across the lifespan.
Why it matters for longevity at work:
Sleep is a foundational behaviour for cognitive performance, emotional regulation, metabolic health, and long‑term wellbeing. This study provides one of the strongest population‑level signals that consistent, adequate sleep is a critical determinant of healthy ageing and sustained work capacity.
