Getting at least five hours of sleep a night can nearly double your chances of developing a number of chronic health conditions, researchers say.
Diseases can disrupt sleep, but a bad dream can also be a warning of that risk, they add.
It has been proven that sleep helps restore, rest and rejuvenate the body and mind - but it is not entirely clear how many hours are the ideal number.
A study published in a scientific journal PLoS Medicine she monitored the health and sleep of British civil servants.
All eight thousand participants were asked: how many hours do you sleep on average during the working week?
Some also wore wristwatches that monitor sleep.
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Their chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, have been controlled for the past two decades.
Here are the results:
- Those who sleep five hours or less in their fifties have a 30 percent higher risk of many diseases than those who sleep seven hours.
- Less sleep at that age is associated with an increased risk of death, as the chances of chronic diseases increase
- Experts usually recommend about seven or eight hours of sleep, said researchers from University College London and the University of Paris.
Why do we sleep?
Scientists don't know for sure, but it's clear that sleep helps brain processes like memory and is good for mood, concentration and metabolism.
A dream is also an opportunity to brain clear of debris.
Tips for good sleep
- Tire yourself out during the day by being busy and active, but slow down before bed
- Avoid naps during the day
- Establish a routine to sleep at night and ensure that the bedroom is relaxing and sleepy - close the curtains or blinds, adjust the comfortable temperature and bed linen and do not be disturbed by much in bed, such as scrolling on the phone
- Reduce or completely eliminate caffeine and alcohol before going to bed
- If you can't fall asleep, don't let it bother you - get up and do something relaxing for a while, like reading a book, and then go back to bed sleepier
- If you work third shift, try to take a nap before work, to catch some night. If you return late at night, get some sleep and go to bed earlier the next night.
Director of the Surrey Sleep Center Derk Jan Dijk told the BBC that this work shows that "short sleep is not good for us".
"Generally, it's not healthy, although it might be okay for some," says the professor.
"The big question is why some people sleep less. What is causing this and can we do anything about it? Sleep is a modifiable lifestyle factor."
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Long periods of poor sleep can seriously harm health.
Fatigue can also be a factor driving risks.
General practitioners prescribe sleeping pills, which can have side effects and become addictive.
But sleep problems can often be solved, a in Britain there is also support.
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