Why Sleep Is So Essential For Longevity + How To Make Sure You're Getting Enough

When centenarians share the tips that have carried them into old age, their lists usually include eating habits, exercise routines, and other habits done in the daylight. But according to Seema Bonney, M.D., the founder and medical director of the Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Philadelphia, what happens at night is just as important.

"If there's any one positive thing we can do in terms of slowing down the aging process, sleep is really up there," Bonney tells mbg. "It's something you need to optimize in order to improve your healthspan, and therefore your lifespan."

While sleep may feel like a passive process, it actually sets off a flurry of beneficial biological activity. As we snooze, our brains clear out abnormal proteins, our pituitary glands release hormones that help the body grow and repair, and our immune systems go into defend-and-protect mode.

Thanks to all this work happening behind the scenes, sleep can help with things like weight maintenance1, blood sugar control2, and cognitive function3 over time. And new research adds heart health benefits to the already impressive list. Just this summer, Bonney notes, the American Heart Association added healthy sleep as one of the eight most important factors4 for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health.

Sleep is also intricately linked to immunity and the ability to stave off pathogens. "There have been so many studies5 that clearly document how optimization of sleep and sleep hygiene is really vital to keeping your immune system healthy," Bonney explains.

All in all, decades of research6 tell us that trying to get away with too little (or too much!) sleep will work against longevity goals. And yet, Bonney sees people do it all the time. "I hear so many people say things like, 'I'll sleep when I'm dead,'" she says. "And the truth is, you will be dead sooner if you don't sleep."

Sleep is personal, and sleep needs will vary from one snoozer to the next. That being said, 7-9 hours a night7 is generally considered a good window for promoting quality of life. Interestingly enough, though, it's not just the amount of time you spend in bed that matters. You also need to make sure your sleep quality is up to par and you're spending enough time in deep sleep every night. (Here's a deep dive into why that's so critical.)

"Studies also show8 that people who had higher longevity had more strict, consistent sleep and wake schedules," Bonney adds, meaning that long-lived people tend to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day.

Some of her favorite tips for achieving deep, consistent sleep night after night include turning off electronics at least an hour before bed, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet, and taking a sleep-promoting supplement like magnesium glycinate.* Other ways to promote restorative rest include reducing caffeine intake, prioritizing gut health, getting more sunlight during the day, and doing just about anything on this sleep hygiene checklist.

Rest is essential not just for short-term sanity, but for long-term health maintenance. As far as longevity is concerned, getting deep and consistent sleep is one of the best ways to tee up a long and healthy (not to mention, well-rested) life.