Retire for Better Sleep?

Abstract

DESPITE THE INCREASING AGING POPULATION AND HIGH PREVALENCE OF SLEEP DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY, THERE EXISTS A PAUCITY OF LITERATURE regarding the effects of retirement on sleep quantity and quality. In this issue of the SLEEP, Vahtera and colleagues¹ report results from a large, prospective cohort (GAZEL, GAZ and ELectricite) examining the relationship of retirement with sleep disturbance in 14,714 individuals working for a French gas and electric company. The authors found a 26% lower odds of sleep disturbance in the 7-year post-retirement phase, compared to the 7-year pre-retirement period.¹ These findings are of particular interest, given the justifiable bases to hypothesize that retirement may represent a state of transition perceived as a life stressor resulting in poor sleep, or conversely, that the removal of work-related stress associated with retirement may result in improved sleep.