Health
When It Comes to Sleep, Ben Goofed
As far as suggesting that getting to sleep early is the best way to a healthy and successful life, science says Ben Franklin can go fly a kite. A new study indicates that the 18th-century American revolutionary got it mostly wrong.
Franklin authored the axiom that "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." In fact, say researchers at the University and General Hospital in Southampton, England, it does no such thing.
Researchers Catharine Gale and Christopher Martyn separated test subjects into "larks" who they sent to bed early, and "owls" who got to stay up late. They found that the lowest risk of early death occurred among those spending less than eight hours a night in bed -- and the "owls" had larger incomes and were more likely to have access to a car. And wisdom was rated about the same in both groups.
In techno-speak, the researchers said: "A late to bed and late to rise lifestyle does not seem to lead to socio-economic, cognitive or health disadvantage." Or, simply: "These findings do not support Franklin's claim."
Franklin authored the axiom that "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." In fact, say researchers at the University and General Hospital in Southampton, England, it does no such thing.
Researchers Catharine Gale and Christopher Martyn separated test subjects into "larks" who they sent to bed early, and "owls" who got to stay up late. They found that the lowest risk of early death occurred among those spending less than eight hours a night in bed -- and the "owls" had larger incomes and were more likely to have access to a car. And wisdom was rated about the same in both groups.
In techno-speak, the researchers said: "A late to bed and late to rise lifestyle does not seem to lead to socio-economic, cognitive or health disadvantage." Or, simply: "These findings do not support Franklin's claim."
