8-Hour Myth BUSTED [Sleep Like a Baby]

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted February 9, 2024

Let me paint you a picture.

You’re lying awake at midnight, praying for sleep.

After all, you KNOW how vital sleep is for your health. And, once again, you WON’T get your full eight hours.

But the MORE you clock watch, the more stressed you become and the LESS likely you are to drift off.

Sound familiar?

You’re stuck in a sleep-robbing worry loop. But the good news is, I have the CURE.

It’s could help you start sleeping like a baby again… no pills, potions, or strange exercises required.

I’ll be honest. The sleep studies can look a bit dire.

Research shows folks who regularly get less than eight hours of sleep often have worse blood sugar control, gain more weight, struggle with mood problems, and are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

But it turns out eight hours is far from the WHOLE story.

NEW research reveals that sleep regularity may be MORE vital to your health than duration.

So even if you’re a “short sleeper” who finds it impossible to clock a full eight hours a night, you’re not doomed to cognitive decline or other sleep-linked health problems.

CONSISTENCY is the key. Regularly getting around the same AMOUNT of sleep is just what the doctor ordered.

Restless nights spent tossing and turning, counting sheep, and stressing about not getting “enough” sleep are unnecessary.

That said, AIMING for seven to eight hours of quality slumber a night IS a good goal. But you don’t need to obsess about that if that’s not in the cards. And it’s not uncommon for us to sleep less as we age.

The reason WHY a consistent sleep schedule is so critical turns out to be surprisingly simple. It throws your body clock out of whack.

Irregular sleep wreaks havoc with your circadian rhythm, triggering inflammation and stress.

So, make it a habit to go to bed and get up around the same time EVERY DAY… even on the weekends. And make sure you’re getting quality, uninterrupted shuteye when you do.

And another thing…

Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…

Mysterious Belly Link to Alzheimer’s REVEALED

A new Alzheimer’s study reads a lot like a good detective story. And the researcher’s discovery has us looking at the belly INSTEAD of the brain.

Fire Your Sofa to Save Your Brain

The old saying “use or lose it” applies to the LAST place you’d ever want to see that happen… your BRAIN. But not how you’re thinking.

WEIRD Ear Trick EASES Pain (No Pills!)

There’s a weird painkiller out there that you’ve got to hear to believe. It’s a method for using your EARS to ease your pain.

Mailbag: 7 Alzheimer’s Early Warning Signs

Feeling forgetful lately? Worried about your memory? Find out if it’s a normal part of aging or early Alzheimer’s. Seven signs to look for.

The TRUTH About Multivitamins REVEALED

I can’t tell you how often I’ve been asked if multivitamins are worth the money. My answer is always the same…

“Hobby Hack” Keeps Your Brain Fit for LIFE

Supplements, good sleep, and exercise are vital for brain health. But you can take another surprisingly effective (and fun!) step.

P.S. Struggling with poor sleep? Try a circadian rhythm REBOOT.

Source:

Daniel P Windred, et al., “Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration: A prospective cohort study,” Sleep, 2023;, zsad253, doi. org/ 10.1093 /sleep /zsad253

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND