Re: Seven Hours' Sleep "the safest"
Posted by Briar on Feb 15, 2002 at 08:18
(62.30.0.2)Re: Seven Hours' Sleep "the safest" (Richard Linney)
I have not had a chance to read the paper yet, but I have read some of these findings today on the net. Without wanting to sound like I am laughing at these findings (I am not), I was wondering if the study took into account accidental death and death from stress related illness such as M.I.,Hypertension and the incidence of such factors as the occupations of those who died during the study. It would seem to me that there would be many other factors to take into consideration. The fact that insomnia and the use of sleeping tablets is far more common in people with stressful occupations would seem far more significant than the fact that six or seven hours sleep does not do you any harm.
Sleep time is an ample way for the body to heal itself of every day wear and tear, if you have not expended sufficient energy during the day to warrant 8 hours sleep or more (who does when sitting at a desk all day and not taking additional exercise?)then you will not sleep. Maybe this is an insight into how society as a whole is changing, i.e. more sedintary jobs = less sleep required. I am married to a farmer who expends huge quantities of enery every day and certainly needs vast quantities of sleep and food. If he didn't have his usual 8 hours it would increase his risk of walking under a tractor quite dramatically!
I will read the study in full when I have a chance and retract any inappropriate statements that I have made based on the short summary given.
I look forward to reading your comments.