Understanding Optimal Sleep: How Cultural Differences Shape Sleep Needs

Recent research conducted by the University of British Columbia reveals that the ideal amount of sleep for maintaining good health varies significantly across different countries and cultures. Analyzing sleep data from nearly 5,000 individuals spanning 20 nations, the study challenges the common notion that everyone should aim for about eight hours of sleep per night. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of considering cultural norms when setting sleep guidelines.

The study found notable differences in average sleep durations: for instance, in Japan, the average was approximately six hours and 18 minutes, whereas in France, it was nearly seven hours and 52 minutes. In Canada, the average sat at about seven hours and 27 minutes. Interestingly, further analysis indicated that despite shorter sleep durations, populations in countries with less sleep did not necessarily experience poorer health outcomes.

Lead researcher Dr. Steven Heine highlighted that traditional advice promoting an eight-hour sleep target might not be appropriate for everyone. "Sleep recommendations need to be tailored to cultural contexts," Heine stated, suggesting that aligning sleep habits with cultural norms could lead to better health outcomes.

Moreover, the study discovered a common trend: individuals in each country tend to sleep at least one hour less than what is considered optimal within their cultural context. This discrepancy underscores the necessity for public health guidelines to reflect cultural differences to promote better overall health.

Supporting this, Dr. Christine Ou from UVic explained that maintaining sleep durations consistent with cultural norms is associated with better health. The findings suggest that 'one size fits all' sleep guidelines may not be effective globally, and culturally sensitive recommendations could be more beneficial.

Data for this study was gathered from various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, providing a comprehensive view of global sleep patterns. These insights underscore the importance of culturally aware approaches to sleep health, aiming to improve well-being across diverse populations.

For more details, see the full study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-healthy-amount-differs-country.html