Scientists say that global warming worsens people’s sleep: study

Researchers believe that an increase in air temperature impairs sleep quality

Photo: Belchonock/Depositphotos

Forest fires, record heat, increasing sea level are obvious consequences that global warming.

Now scientists have shown the less obvious impact of the climate crisis on the planet’s population. Scientists have found that increasing air temperature can impair sleep quality in humans.

This is stated in a study that Posted in the journal Nature Communications, informs ABC News.

In the course of their work, scientists analyze 23 million medical records of more than 214 thousand adults living in China’s mainland. The participants of the study wore special devices to control the heart rate, physical activity and sleep.

Having evaluated these data, scientists have found that, for increasing the average daily temperature, people by 10c are 20.1% more often. In addition, such changes lead to a reduction in the total duration of sleep by 10 minutes every night.

In such circumstances, the participants of the study by 2.8% less often had a deep sleep, which is considered a necessary factor in physical and mental recovery. At the same time, a slight sleep and night rest with dreams, which decreased by more than 2%.

Scientists note that there is a greater risk of sleep disorders due to temperature changes:

• people over 45;
• women;
• overweight and obesity people BMI more than 25;
• Residents of more humid climate.

The authors of the work estimated that by the end of the century, the lack of climate change can increase by an average of 10.5%. Therefore, the average person will lose more than 33 hours of sleep every year.

At the same time, the study has some restrictions, because it studied only people from China and took into account the actual conditions of sleep without taking into account the presence of air conditioning from respondents.

Earlier, scientists have found out that climate changes cause complex adverse effects for people who have neurological and mental illness. In particular, it is about worsening symptoms and increased risk of stroke, migraines, epilepsy, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.

In addition, scientists believe that Thermal stress can affect the development of fetus and children under two years of age.