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"exec" writes:

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

Having a good reason to get out of bed in the morning means you are more likely to sleep better at night with less sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, reports a new Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center study based on older adults.

This is the first study to show having a purpose in life specifically results in fewer sleep disturbances and improved sleep quality and over a long period of time. Previous research showed having a purpose in life generally improves overall sleep when measured at a single point in time.

Although the participants in the study were older, researchers said the findings are likely applicable to the broader public.

"Helping people cultivate a purpose in life could be an effective drug-free strategy to improve sleep quality, particularly for a population that is facing more insomnia," said senior author Jason Ong, an associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Purpose in life is something that can be cultivated and enhanced through mindfulness therapies."

The paper will be published in the journal Sleep Science and Practice.

-- submitted from IRC

Journal Reference: Arlener D. Turner, Christine E. Smith, Jason C. Ong. Is purpose in life associated with less sleep disturbance in older adults? Sleep Science and Practice, 2017; 1 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s41606-017-0015-6

Original Submission