Nearly 70% of workers over 50 experience sleep problems linked to job stress, study finds

A year-long study from the University of Edinburgh found nearly 70% of workers aged 50 to 66 had ongoing sleep problems, even without a history of sleep disorders. 

Almost 92% met the threshold for a sleep disorder at least once during the study. 

Many sleep problems were tied to work-related stress.

People who had better work-life balance and higher job satisfaction reported better wellbeing. 

Professor Athanasios Tsanas, study lead and professor of digital health and data science at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “Having spent years analysing data from patients with clinical sleep and mental health disorders, I was genuinely surprised by the sheer scale of sleep problems we uncovered in this otherwise undiagnosed group. 

“Our analysis clearly demonstrates that many of these sleep and wellbeing issues are work-related, with overall wellbeing heavily dependent on sustained work-life balance. 

“By utilising longitudinal smartwatch data, we captured nuanced, previously unexplored patterns.”

Tsanas added: “Crucially, these findings point to actionable intervention strategies, offering a roadmap to help people build healthier, more sustainable lives as they get closer to the transition into retirement.”