Getting good quality sleep could be more important for a healthy and happy life than getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to new research.
A study by scientists at Charles University in Prague and the Czech Academy of Sciences found that those who reported good quality sleep — defined as being able to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep without waking too many times — also reported having a better quality of life compared to those who did not.
The study, which followed more than 4,000 people in the Czech Republic for three years, measured quality of life using five parameters: satisfaction, well-being, happiness, subjective health and work stress.
The researchers found that those whose sleep improved also had an improved quality of life.
They found that sleep duration was not as important to an individual’s quality of life as a good night’s sleep.
The study, published in the journal PLoS One, supports the recommendation that improving sleep quality may have beneficial effects on clinical health outcomes.
The researchers said: “Better sleep means a better quality of life. While when we sleep and how long we sleep is important, individuals who have better quality sleep also have a better quality of life, regardless of the time and length of sleep.”
The study also examined “social jet lag”, where socially directed sleep patterns and biological rhythms are mismatched, and found that sleep quality was associated with health and happiness, while work stress was linked to social jet lag.
Prof Neil Walsh of Liverpool John Moores University told The National: "Social jet lag reflects, for example, the difference between weekday and weekend sleep and risks of poor health outcome. Having a regular sleep schedule is recommended."
However, the researchers said further studies were needed to establish whether poor quality sleep lowers quality of life or whether low quality of life leads to poor sleep quality.
Prof Walsh said the findings “indicate a strong relationship between self-reported sleep quality and quality of life”.
He said: "Seven to nine hours of sleep for adults is based upon empirical research but we are now learning that individual sleep needs are important and that an individual can, for example, have shorter sleep but still report good sleep quality.
"For example, we have shown that sleep restriction increases risk of respiratory infections but only in those reporting poor sleep quality."
He added: “Studies are required in a larger population, over a longer timeframe and ideally with more objective measures of sleep and clinical health outcomes.”
The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults sleep for at least seven hours each night.
The specs
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
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Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Bahrain
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
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Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
