By Sola Ogundipe
Health experts have urged people in their 50s and 60s to take sleep more seriously, warning that consistently poor sleep can increase the risk of several chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the impact of sleep deprivation on physical and mental health, particularly among middle-aged and older adults.
Sleep expert and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of The Sleep Charity, Lisa Artis, said poor sleep should not be dismissed as a normal part of ageing, stressing that quality rest plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing.
“Midlife is a key period for sleep because it is often when the risk of long-term health conditions starts to rise. For people in their 50s and 60s, poor sleep should not be seen as an inevitable consequence of getting older.”
She said regular sleep deprivation has been linked to a higher risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, anxiety, depression and diabetes. It can also make existing health conditions more difficult to manage.
Her comments follow findings from a survey which found that sleep problems are widespread across different age groups.
The survey revealed that nearly 70 percent of respondents reported difficulty getting adequate sleep. Young adults were among the worst affected, with 80 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 reporting sleep challenges, while 77 per cent of respondents aged 35 to 44 also struggled to get sufficient rest.
Experts attributed the trend to rising stress levels, financial pressures, demanding work schedules and social anxieties.
Artis said sleep should be treated with the same importance as healthy eating and regular physical activity.
“One poor night’s sleep is not necessarily a problem, but when poor sleep becomes a regular pattern, it places additional strain on the body and affects how well people recover, cope with stress and maintain good health,” she explained.
Health experts say prioritising sleep could play a major role in preventing chronic diseases and improving quality of life, particularly among older adults who face a higher risk of long-term health complications.
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