New research from Harvard University proves good sleep is paramount.
Poor sleep can reduce life expectancy by five years in men and more than two years in women.
Young people with better sleep habits are 30 per cent less likely to die early.
But it's not just the length of time you spend in a slumber - good quality sleep is important as part of a healthy lifestyle.
The researchers found good sleep depended on five factors:
- Sleeping between seven and eight hours a night
- Only having difficulty falling asleep no more than twice a week
- Trouble staying asleep no more than twice a week
- Not using sleep medication
- Feeling well rested after waking up at least five days a week
The study also found around 8 per cent of deaths from any cause could be caused by poor sleep patterns.
but they say the model can be used to predict gains at older ages, too.
