New research on over 770 young adults reveals that there are five distinct types of sleepers, each with unique effects on brain function, overall well-being, and mental health. The study, published in the journal PLOS Biology, analyzed data from brain scans, lifestyles, and sleep quality to identify these profiles.
The researchers found that there are five main categories:
– Poor sleepers: Experience anxiety, depression, and stress due to difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.
– Resilient sleepers: Report mental health challenges but don’t experience sleep problems, possibly due to a natural resistance to poor sleep’s effects.
– Sleep aid users: Rely on medication for sleep, often with strong social relationships but struggling with memory in cognitive tests.
– Short sleepers: Sleep fewer than six hours a night and perform worse on memory and thinking tasks, showing higher aggression levels.
– Disturbed sleepers: Experience fragmented sleep, such as frequent bathroom trips or breathing problems, linked to anxiety, poorer cognition, and substance use.
The study highlights the importance of considering an individual’s full picture of sleep to help clinicians make more accurate assessments and guide treatment. The findings also challenge traditional one-size-fits-all sleep advice, emphasizing that each person’s needs are unique.
According to the researchers, understanding these distinct profiles could lead to more tailored interventions for mental health challenges. The study suggests that sleep is not just a symptom of other conditions but an independent factor influencing overall well-being and mental health.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/what-type-of-sleeper-are-you-and-how-is-it-impacting-your-health-10839106