Harvard Health Blog

Shorter dream-stage sleep may be related to earlier death

POSTED SEPTEMBER 18, 2020, 6:30 AM
Lawrence Epstein, MD, Contributor
Alice Cai, MD, Contributor

Time and time again, adequate sleep has been shown to be critical to daily functioning and long-term health. Sleep serves numerous roles: recovering energy for the brain, clearing waste products, and forming memories. Prior studies have clearly linked shortened sleep times to heart disease, obesity, reduced cognitive performance, worsened mood, and even a shorter life. There is now new research that suggests that lack of a certain type of sleep (the dream stage of sleep) may be related to an earlier death in middle-aged and older people.

Learn more »

Get your copy of Improving Sleep

When you wake up in the morning, are you refreshed and ready to go, or groggy and grumpy? For many people, the second scenario is all too common. Improving Sleep: A guide to a good night's rest describes the latest in sleep research, including information about the numerous health conditions and medications that can interfere with normal sleep, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications used to treat sleep disorders. Most importantly, you’ll learn what you can do to get the sleep you need for optimal health, safety, and well-being.

More from Harvard Health Publishing

Harvard doctors share top strategies to defeat insomnia, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and 11 other common sleep disturbances

Cough and cold season is arriving: Choose medicines safely

Discrimination, high blood pressure, and health disparities in African Americans

Improving Sleep

Featured content:

•	Sleep mechanics
•	Sleep throughout life
•	Dangers of sleep deprivation
•	SPECIAL SECTION: Practical tips for sounder sleep
•	Medical conditions that disrupt sleep
•	... and more!