Uncle Wang is nearly eighty years old and has been retired for many years, and he likes to sleep in on weekdays, sleeping until noon almost every day.
One morning, when Uncle Wang was still sleeping in bed, his son Wang Xiaoming came to knock on the door to urge him to get up, but received no response. Wang Xiaoming became increasingly worried about his father because this had never happened.
So, he decided to enter the room, but found that Uncle Wang had lost consciousness and his heart had stopped beating. Wang Xiaoming immediately called the emergency number, but when the doctor arrived, it was no longer possible to save his life. Uncle Wang died of a heart attack due to excessive sleep.
First, the relationship between sleep and life expectancy
The importance of sleep for the human body
Sleep is an integral part of human life and essential for the health and development of the human body. It maintains healthy biorhythms, helps restore physical fatigue, regulates the immune system, improves memory and learning ability, and more. Sleep also helps boost the body's metabolism, which accelerates the renewal and repair of cells in the body.
The health hazards of lack of sleep
Long-term lack of sleep can bring many harms to the human body. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect people's cognitive ability and attention, making people more prone to fatigue and inattention in daily life. Lack of sleep also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and more. Chronic sleep deprivation may also lead to a weakened immune system, which increases the risk of contracting viruses and germs.
The health hazards of too much sleep
Although sleep is essential, excessive sleep can also be harmful to the human body. Too much sleep may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Lying or sitting for a long time can also lead to problems such as muscle atrophy and weight gain in the body. In addition, prolonged sleep can also cause the body to be in a state of "slow motion", affecting the normal conduct of daily life.
Studies of sleep duration and longevity
Studies have shown that there is a certain relationship between sleep duration and longevity. While the optimal value of sleep time varies from person to person, too much or too little sleep is associated with shorter lifespans. According to studies, people who are chronically sleep-deprived may live 3-5 years shorter than those who sleep normally. At the same time, people who sleep too long for a long time will also shorten their lifespan.
2. Establish healthy sleep habits
A. The importance of sleep
Sleep is one of the important factors in maintaining good health. Sleep can not only help the body recover from fatigue, but also improve immunity, maintain nervous and mental health, etc. The importance of sleep to the human body cannot be overlooked.
B. Ways to establish healthy sleep habits
Make a reasonable sleep plan: It is recommended to create a fixed sleep schedule and maintain a fixed amount of sleep every day. This helps the body form a fixed circadian clock for better control of sleep.
Create a comfortable sleeping environment: Keep the temperature of the room at the right temperature, avoiding noise, light and other distractions. Use a comfortable mattress and pillow, which will allow the body to relax and make it easier to fall asleep.
Improve bedtime habits: Avoid irritating things half an hour before bedtime, such as watching TV, using electronic devices, and drinking caffeinated beverages. Try doing some relaxing stretches to relax your body and mind.
Stick to regular exercise: Proper exercise helps the body relax and expend excess energy, but be careful to avoid intense exercise before bed, as this may affect sleep.
C. Benefits of moderate sleep
Boosts immunity: Sleep helps the body maintain a healthy immune system, which reduces the risk of contracting viruses and germs.
Improve mental health: Moderate sleep can reduce the risk of psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
Improve memory and learning through sleep: It helps the brain to clear excess information, thereby improving a person's memory and learning ability. In addition, moderate sleep can also help maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Third, whether there is a scientific basis for "the earlier you sleep, the sooner you die"
A. Explain the origin of this proverb
This proverb originated in ancient China and was first found in the medical book "Thousand Gold Essentials" during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, which means that the earlier you sleep, the more likely you are to die of disease. The traditional concept is that the night is when the yin qi is prevalent, and the human body will gradually weaken under the influence of the yin qi, and sleeping too long at night will damage human health.
B. Compare this proverb with the conclusions of scientific research
Although this proverb is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, it is not entirely true after scientific research. In fact, the impact of sleep time on the human body varies from person to person, and there is no one standard sleep time that is suitable for everyone. According to internationally accepted standards, adults should sleep between 7-9 hours a day, while older people need shorter sleep hours.
Both chronic sleep deprivation and hypersleep can adversely affect health, and moderate sleep duration is very important for the maintenance of health and longevity. Both chronic sleep deprivation and prolonged sleep duration may increase the risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, etc., thereby shortening lifespan.