Five hours sleep is tipping point for bad health.

[Tolkienista]

I received the news yesterday of a study which has found that at least five hours sleep may cut the over 50s chance of chronic health problems later in life with an audible sigh.

I've lived with sleep problems for many years and I've just got on with life as it's never stopped me doing anything and I'm very fit and active. However this headline worried me, because maybe I'm not doing enough to address my sleep issues.

Sometimes I can't get to sleep ( too much thinking) but more often than not, it's the dreaded waking up around 2 am and watching hour after hour go by. I've just learned to live with it now. I'm in my 60s and I'd rather just get on with life than make this into a bigger issue than it already is.

Would love to hear other sleep challenged members experiences. Is there hope? or have you accepted your sleep pattern and does it alarm you when you see a headline like this?

Alas, my sleep thief toddlers cannot read so did not read the headline so do not care. I'd have been excited for 5 hours last night. Even when they do sleep through (one twin isn't well atm) 7 years of shitty sleepers, tinnitus and an over active brain have screwed my sleep pattern

I worry about this too. As well as the daily shitness of life on no sleep. I possibly just scrape 5 hours on a good night but that's if I manage to sleep all through.

Combination of teenagers working/activities/needing lifts meaning no chance of even getting into bed until past 11; and neighbour getting up at 5:30 waking the world - there's no physical way I can increase my sleep.

Audio book or an audio meditation/mindfulness track.

I love the body scan ones where they talk you through relaxing every muscle and sinking down etc.

Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to reply to my post, I'm still reading through all your comments and suggestions, they're really interesting.

Had a fairly good night's sleep last night and I reckon it was because I knew I wasn't getting up for work this morning, that makes a difference. When I don't have to get up at 7, I fall back to sleep knowing I can sleep on and get up whenever I like.

I am a chronic over thinker and always struggled to get to sleep. The Calm app changed that. Honestly, I've never got to the end of a sleep story!

My sleep was getting worse and worse with menopause, hrt has massively improved it. I'm now having solid blocks of sleep again.

Me too. I have to get up now at 6 and during the week my average sleep is about 5 hours per night. I am a natural early riser and love 10-5.30, but I cannot get to bed due to son's hyperness at night.

It is unsustainable in health terms. My wellbeing has really taken a hit this past year, and it's visible in my face, huge lines under eyes - I just look shattered and my concentration is f-ed.