Studies People with a sense of purpose in life are less likely to suffer from sleep problems

Does a meaning in life affect human sleep??
Some people have huge problems with their sleep. For example, you simply fall asleep in front of the TV without even wanting to. But then there are also days when those affected are awake half the night and simply can not fall asleep. Researchers now found out what can help many people with disturbed sleep. There are no medications, no sleeping pills and not counting the widespread sheep. The secret is that people with a purpose in life generally have better sleep.

Researchers at Northwestern University and the Rush University Medical Center found in their research that a purpose or purpose in human life causes them to suffer less from sleep problems. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "BioMed Central".

Sleep is important to the human body. However, some people suffer from poor sleep quality. Researchers have now investigated whether a perceived sense in life leads to positive effects on sleep. (Image: drubig-photo - fotolia)

People with meaning in life have less sleep disorders
The current research has now shown that a purpose in life leads to less sleep disturbances and improved sleep quality over a long period of time. Although the study was conducted on older volunteers, the findings are likely to apply to a broader population, the experts speculate.

Certain therapies can help to find meaning in life
Helping people to find a purpose in their lives could be an effective sleep quality improvement strategy. This is especially true for people with sleep problems, explains author Professor Jason Ong. To find meaning or purpose in life is something that can be cultivated and strengthened by special therapies.

Older people more often affected by sleep problems
People have more sleep problems as they get older and more often suffer from insomnia. Experts prefer interventions for the treatment of sleep problems without medication, Ong explains. The next step should be to examine these special so-called mindfulness-based therapies more closely. This allows people to find a meaning in life and thereby achieve an increased quality of sleep, explains the expert.

Physicians examined over 800 subjects
For the study, 823 subjects were examined, all of whom were at least 60 years old and who did not suffer from dementia. The average age of the participants was 79 years. More than half of the subjects were African Americans and 77 percent were female, say the experts.

People with meaning in life suffer 63% less sleep apnea
If participants felt that their lives had any purpose or purpose, they were 63% less likely to suffer from sleep apnea, and 52% less had Restless Legs syndrome. These participants also had improved sleep quality, the authors add.

People with sleep problems should do a special therapy
For the study, the participants answered a total of ten questions about the meaning of life and 32 questions about their sleep. The next step in treating sleep problems should be the use of so-called mindfulness-based therapies. By doing so, sufferers could find meaning in life and benefit from the benefits of improved sleep quality, the authors explain.

What is sleep apnea?
For example, poor sleep quality is associated with difficulty falling asleep and heavy tiredness during the day, the researchers say. Sleep apnea is a common disease that continues to increase with age. In this condition, people suffer from very shallow breathing and short breathing bouts, which occur several times an hour, explain the experts. This disturbance of sleep causes those affected to wake up several times during the night and to be excessively sleepy during the next day.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome??
The so-called Restless Legs Syndrome causes unpleasant sensations in the legs. This creates an irresistible urge to move your legs. The symptoms usually occur in the late afternoon or evening hours. Often the feelings get heavier at night, for example when people sit in front of the TV or lie in bed, the scientists add. (As)