Pills, valerian, count sheep? Perhaps having a powerful motive for getting up the next morning can also help you fall asleep and sleep better all night. According to research from Rush University Medical Center, people who have a purpose a life has better sleep.
For the study, there were 823 people, all over 60 years old, who were assessed the quality of their sleep through a questionnaire. They also valued the degree to which they had a ‘purpose in life’ through statements such as ‘I feel good when I think of what I have done in the past and in my future projects’, compared to those who had to express their degree of agreement Or disagreement.
Once the data were crossed, it was found that a higher score on the ‘purpose in life’ scale correlated with higher quality sleep. The assessment also included symptoms derived from obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, diseases that undermine nocturnal rest.
But what is the reason for this association? The authors of the study speculate with two possibilities. On the one hand, that having a meaningful life is a marker of mental health, and that in turn this mental health correlates with a dream of higher quality.
Another possibility is that, as has been shown, people with a purpose in life get more exercise, seek medical advice or engage in activities such as relaxation sessions. In turn, these practices can help you to better sleep.
Sleep disorders are one of the most widespread health problems, affecting between 32 and 45% of the population. They are also associated with increased mortality, as well as an increased risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or stroke. So, choose well your goals in life … and sweet dreams.
