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Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

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Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#21

Post by A1kmm »

I wonder how much of this is driven by confounding variables they haven't accounted for.

They do factor in shift work as a categorical variable, and employment status as a categorical variable not taking into account occupation. But probably occupation (not a variable here) interacts with sleep status. Any job that involves a lot of flying (pilot, crew, people travelling for business) get more cosmic radiation exposure, for example, and potentially more sleep disruption. Certain operations and manufacturing jobs correlated with exposure to carcinogens also likely correlate with less regular sleep, possibly in a way that isn't corrected for by the limited shift work categories.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#22

Post by philipov »

djoldman wrote: post #17

As always with a lot of these: it's not saying causation. You might measure the speed of your car by putting your hand out of the window and notice that the wind force on your hand is strong when the car goes fast. Putting your hand out of the window and then blocking the wind with a book doesn't make the car slow down. Keyword: "associated" EDIT: I meant to communicate that it doesn't make the car slow down as much…

Maybe you can't stop the car that way, but if you feel that kind of wind on your hand you should worry that your car is going fast.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#24

Post by estearum »

djoldman wrote: post #17

As always with a lot of these: it's not saying causation. You might measure the speed of your car by putting your hand out of the window and notice that the wind force on your hand is strong when the car goes fast. Putting your hand out of the window and then blocking the wind with a book doesn't make the car slow down. Keyword: "associated" EDIT: I meant to communicate that it doesn't make the car slow down as much…

Bad example because yes it does make the car slow down.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#25

Post by al_borland »

ssgodderidge wrote: post #11

Couldn’t this effect be classic cause vs correlation? Perhaps someone who has a consistent schedule is hypothetically more likely to make healthier choices on average?

As someone when a poor sleep schedule, the inability it stick to a routine in this area tends to show up in every area… exercise, diet, etc.

I would imagine that someone with a very regimented life tends to stick to a lot of healthy habits. They aren’t going out to the bar every night, then waking up at 6am for their morning routine.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#26

Post by dkga »

soco wrote: post #14
martingoodson wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't watch any kind of screen in the evening. Read a book instead. You'll fall asleep sooner.

I do watch screens in the morning, but reading in bed (though still a screen, Kindle) still knocks me off in max 15 minutes. I would love to know why... I only know it works.

Could be related to the light spectrum. Kindles aren't really "screen" like the others; they do have background light but you can turn it off and use it with its paper-like screen (which is what I do and really like it). But traditional screens have blue light as part of the normal light they emit, which is known to disrupt sleeping patterns. When I am using my cell phone or computer right before sleeping, I usually turn on colour filtering to make my whole cell phone be tinted red. This helps wonders. I found this page that explains how this can be done: [0].

[0]: https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/keep-your-night-vision-sh...

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#27

Post by djoldman »

philipov wrote: post #22
djoldman wrote: post #17

As always with a lot of these: it's not saying causation. You might measure the speed of your car by putting your hand out of the window and notice that the wind force on your hand is strong when the car goes fast. Putting your hand out of the window and then blocking the wind with a book doesn't make the car slow down. Keyword: "associated" EDIT: I meant to communicate that it doesn't make the car slow down as much…

Maybe you can't stop the car that way, but if you feel that kind of wind on your hand you should worry that your car is going fast.

> ... you should worry that your car is going fast.

Only if we know of an intervention that will likely slow the car down and the risks+cost of that intervention justify the benefit.

Otherwise, we worry without purpose.

EDIT: I will say that there is a philosophical question here related to "basic research" / "pure science" / "fundamental science." Usually just "knowing new things" eventually proves valuable, especially in a long timeline. So in that sense, TFA could be important.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#28

Post by bdcravens »

As my diabetes has progressed, I find myself sleeping more odd hours (it can be hard to fight off the tiredness that comes after a meal), and I can be frequently woken up my extreme lows where my body is screaming for carbs.

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#29

Post by estearum »

acron0 wrote: post #3
shykes wrote: post #2

Well, I'm screwed...

My thought exactly. For people who struggle with this, and conventional wisdom doesn't seem to stick, what are we supposed to do?

Lifelong severe insomniac (sleep onset mostly) and cured myself pretty much entirely over the last year or so. My suggestions in order of what I perceived to be their cost vs effectiveness ratio:

1. The Sleep With Me podcast, especially if you struggle with racing thoughts (if you have a partner who can't stand hearing this, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are a good if imperfect solution)

2. Stellar Sleep, an app that delivers CBT-I, evidence-backed cognitive therapy for insomnia; this reset my sleep clock in about two months, which is now maintained by the other items on this list

3. Eight Sleep mattress pad to keep temperature low during sleep, especially on warmer nights

4. Manta Sleep Mask to get full light blackout

Also I've definitely just doxxed myself. But worth it to help some fellow insomniacs!

Re: Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration (2023)

#30

Post by 1970-01-01 »

stavros wrote: post #19
ssgodderidge wrote: post #11

Couldn’t this effect be classic cause vs correlation? Perhaps someone who has a consistent schedule is hypothetically more likely to make healthier choices on average?

Or maybe if you are sick you don't sleep as well.

Pretty much my thoughts. People in lots of pain don't have a regular schedule to do anything, including sleep.
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