I sleep less than 7 hours a night and didn't think it was an issue until a recent study said otherwise — an expert explains more

A woman with blonde hair sleeps surrounded by alarm clocks of different colours.

I have something to confess: I regularly sleep less than seven hours a night. Despite knowing that this duration is below the oft-recommended sleep guidelines for adults, I always try to justify my habit by telling myself that I function well on six or so hours sleep a night. Because I do.

But a recent study stopped me in my tracks. Researchers at the Oregon and Health and Science University reported that insufficient sleep every night decreases life expectancy more than any other adverse health behaviors except for smoking.