Out of all the ways to get healthy and improve your overall well-being, optimizing your sleep should be at the top of your list. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) getting enough sleep can help your immune system, reduce stress levels, lower your risk of chronic conditions, and more. While the average adult needs seven to nine hours per night, according to fitness tracker manufacturer WHOOP's Year in Review there's a generational sleep divide currently taking place with boomers getting the least amount of sleep across the board.
"Recent research shows that older adults still need about 7–8 hours of sleep, similar to younger adults," said a WHOOP spokesperson. "Quality sleep is crucial for cognitive function, mood, and overall health, regardless of age. Aging might affect sleep patterns, but the need for restorative sleep remains the same. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene is key to maintaining health as we age."
According to the data, boomers are averaging 399 minutes of sleep per night, which makes them the least rested generation behind both millennials and Gen Z. WHOOP members between the ages 60 and 78 are impacted by age-related sleep quality reduction and turn their lights off at 10:48 p.m. on average, 57 minutes earlier than Gen X.
Through the data, they also discovered millennials are averaging 11 minutes more sleep per night than boomers. While this number is still not meeting the optimal amount of sleep, WHOOP claims it shows a higher prioritization of quality rest.
If you think back to your high school or college years you probably imagine late nights out with friends and all-nighters pulled at the library because you procrastinated studying for your chemistry test. However, according to WHOOP, Gen Zers actually got the most sleep out of all the above generations with an average of 416 minutes per night.
According to Instagram's 2024 Trend Talk in partnership with the Worth Global Style Network, staying healthy is the number one priority for the generation with regular workouts and eating healthy on the top of their minds. As they head into the new year Gen Z is also taking a more diverse approach to health, with many taking their sleep, exercise, and nutrition more seriously, Glanbia Nutritionals says.
According to WHOOP's spokesperson, there can be several reasons boomers are getting the least amount of sleep. For starters, it comes down to their possible changes in sleep architecture and circadian rhythm shifts. "Aging can lead to lighter sleep and less time spent in deep sleep stages," the spokesperson said, adding that "aging can cause shifts in the internal body clock, leading to earlier bedtimes and waketime."
Other factors like potential health issues, medications, and lifestyle factors like reduced physical activity may also play a role.
