The Importance of Good Quality Sleep for Health and Wellbeing
Why Sleep Quality Matters Just as Much as Sleep Duration
When it comes to our health, we often focus on how many hours we sleep. But groundbreaking research published in Health Data Science in June 2025 shows that the importance of good quality sleep goes beyond simply counting hours.
This large-scale study tracked nearly 88,000 UK adults over seven years, using wearable devices to monitor their sleep patterns and wellbeing. The findings revealed that an irregular sleep schedule is linked to an increased risk of developing 172 different diseases from type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease to kidney failure and liver cirrhosis.
Benefits of Consistent Sleep: What the Research Found
The research didn’t rely on self-reported surveys. Instead, it gathered real, objective data on participants’ sleep for a week, then followed their health outcomes over the next several years. The results were striking:
For 92 diseases, over 20% of the risk could be linked to poor sleep regularity alone.
Going to bed after 12:30 a.m. was linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia and memory problems over time.
Irregular sleep patterns from one day to the next were also associated with a significantly higher risk of developing depression and anxiety-related disorders, highlighting the strong connection between sleep regularity and mental wellbeing.
These findings make it clear: the benefits of consistent sleep go far beyond feeling rested, they could be protecting you from serious, long-term health conditions.
How Sleep Patterns Affect Health and Wellbeing
Our bodies are guided by an internal 24-hour clock, called the circadian rhythm. This rhythm affects everything from hormone release and metabolism to brain function and immune response.
When we follow a regular sleep schedule, we keep this internal clock running smoothly. But when bedtimes and wake times vary significantly, it disrupts the body’s natural processes. Over time, this can:
Increase inflammation
Reduce cell repair efficiency
Affect hormone balance
Weaken immunity
This disruption explains why researchers found links between irregular sleep patterns and disease risk across so many different body systems.
Sleep Quality and Mental Health
As a clinical hypnotherapist, I see first-hand how poor sleep quality impacts emotional wellbeing. Inconsistent sleep patterns can heighten anxiety, affect mood, and lower your ability to cope with stress.
Better sleep supports not only your physical health but also your mental and emotional resilience. In solution focused hypnotherapy I help you to understand the link between neuroscience, anxiety and good quality of sleep. By listening to your free hypnosis audio each evening, clients find it easier to enter all stages of of sleep, especially REM sleep and often report feeling calmer, more positive, and better equipped to handle daily challenges.
How to Improve Sleep Quality and Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule
The good news is that you can start improving your sleep regularity with small, manageable steps:
Set a Regular Bedtime and Wake Time. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day even on weekends.
Create a Relaxing Evening Routine. Take bath or shower and then dim the lights, avoid screens, and engage in calming activities like reading, listen to your free hypnosis audio or meditation.
Keep Your Sleep Environment Comfortable. Make your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to promote restful sleep.
Watch Caffeine and Meal Timing. Avoid caffeine, stimulants and heavy meals in the hours before bedtime.
Over time, these small adjustments help reinforce your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
Bringing It All Together
This landmark sleep study is a reminder that sleep patterns and wellbeing are closely connected. Consistent, good-quality sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting both our physical and mental health.
If you struggle to maintain a regular sleep schedule, hypnotherapy can help by addressing stress, unhelpful thought patterns, and habits that interfere with sleep.
Reference: Luo, L., et al. (2025). Irregular sleep patterns and risk of 172 diseases: evidence from a large-scale wearable-based cohort study. Health Data Science.
Take the First Step Towards Better Sleep
Your best health starts with your best rest. If you’d like to explore how hypnotherapy can help you sleep better and feel better, I offer a free initial consultation to discuss your needs and goals.