This is the secret to a good night's sleep

Scientists have finally cracked the secret of getting a perfect night’s sleep.

And it’s nothing to do with food.

In a new study, researchers questioned over 800 people between the ages of 60 and 100 about their purpose in life and their sleeping habits.

They found that those who felt they had more of a purpose in life had a much better sleep quality. They were also 63% less likely to suffer from sleep apnoea – a breathing condition that causes people to wake up throughout the night – and 52% less likely to have restless leg syndrome.

Although all the participants were of an elderly age, researchers believe that the findings would apply to all ages.

“Helping people cultivate a purpose in life could be an effective drug-free strategy to improve sleep quality, particularly for a population that is facing more insomnia,” commented the study’s senior author Jason Ong, an associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“Purpose in life is something that can be cultivated and enhanced through mindfulness therapies.”

Medical experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of shuteye a night. However, many Britons currently only get six hours.

Having a restless night has been linked to a humber of health problems from obesity and heart disease to the common cold.

Street lighting and the glare from smartphones have been blamed for the population’s sleep problems.

If you’re struggling to sleep, The Sleep Council recommend investing in a decent bed, exercising more and seeking help from your GP if necessary.

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