HEALTH: This Is the Worst Age for Sleep

Headlines for a healthier you

Claire Wolters, News Reporter

Age 40 Is the Low Point for Getting Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep? You might be able to blame your age.

A new study found that time spent sleeping declines with age, dropping to the lowest point at age 40. At around age 50, people might start sleeping more again.

Researchers say the trend may be influenced by a combination of biological and lifestyle factors. They evaluated data from over 11,000 people ages 6 and older who were asked to wear a device called an accelerometer on their wrists to track movement during sleep.

Know More

Hours logged isn't necessarily the greatest indicator of good sleep. Activities like safely driving a car, maintaining performance at work, and keeping up with personal relationships can say a lot about whether someone is getting a quality night's rest.

Feel Better

One thing that steadily gets worse over time: sleep efficiency. A 40-year-old may be sleeping less, but they're probably fitting in higher quality sleep than someone who is 60.

What Else Should You Know

Why Does Birth Control Require a Prescription?

Plan B is available on drugstore shelves. Condoms are available in public restrooms. What's the deal with birth control pills? Organizations ranging from the AMA to ACOG are calling for the FDA to make the pill available over the counter, but regulatory hurdles stand in the way. Out of roughly 150 birth control pills on the market, it's unclear how many will be submitted for OTC consideration.

Boosted Individuals Test Positive for COVID Longer

If they contract COVID, people who are vaccinated and boosted may be more likely to remain COVID-positive after five days of symptom onset, according to a preprint study. But it's not because vaccines contribute to a lengthier illness. Instead, experts say boosters prompt the body's immune system to recognize the virus earlier, so that it can start fighting against the infection right away.