Irregular Sleeping Routines May Cause Health Problems

Do you go to bed and wake up at about the same time every night and morning? While most people know that getting a solid eight hours of sleep is essential to their health and well-being, many ignore the importance of getting into a sleep routine. As a result, their sleeping habits are negatively impacted, which could lead to other health problems later down the road.

The Effects of an Irregular Sleeping Routine

According to a new study published in the medical journal Diabetes Care, an irregular sleeping routine can cause a myriad of health problems. Researchers found that people who didn't go to bed and wake up at about the same time every night and morning were more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome than their counterparts with a regular sleeping routine.

What is metabolic syndrome exactly? Experienced by roughly 3 million men and women in the United States, metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of multiple health conditions, some of which include hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity and high cholesterol levels. It's considered a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Therefore, an irregular sleeping routine could pose a serious risk to your health and wellness.

Metabolic Syndrome and Irregular Sleeping Routines: What You Should Know

After analyzing their findings, researchers from the study found that for every one hour difference in sleep duration, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased by 27%. In other words, if your sleeping routine is only off by one hour, you'll be 27% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than someone who goes to sleep and wakes up at the same time every night and morning.

"We consistently see that no matter how much people sleep, if they have irregular sleep schedules, they’re more likely to develop metabolic syndrome,” lead the study's lead author and researcher Tianyi Huang.

How to Develop a Regular Sleeping Routine

The good news is that you can minimize your risk of metabolic syndrome by developing a regular sleeping routine. When you go to bed and wake up at about the same time every night and morning, your body will be able to perform essential metabolic process more effectively, resulting in a lower risk of metabolic syndrome.

To develop a regular sleeping routine, make sure you go to bed at the same time -- or about the same time -- every night. Of course, you'll also need to wake up at the same time in the mornings as well.