Because we just published a post where we shared information that a good night's sleep in total darkness might aid in reducing cancer risks in Light is a risk factor for cancer, today's news regarding research study findings from the University of Chicago that found people are not getting the amount of sleep they think they are getting, grabbed my attention. Could it offer additional information into cancer risks and cancer prevention? As it turns out, not really, but I did learn that Paris Hilton not only lives better than most of us, but she is also more rested than many of us. How this applies to any one I know, I am not sure. However, I will slog on and share what I found out that might be relevant.

When reporting on this study, the UPI Newstracker cited the Chicago Sun-Times, so I went to the Chicago Sun-Times where they begin the news story with, "When she's trying to sleep, Paris Hilton probably sleeps well." This sums up the news fairly well. According to researchers, the wealthy sleep better and longer primarily due to the fact they do not have as much to worry about when they go to bed at night and they might be sleeping in more comfortable surroundings. 

The research relied on two methods for the study -- sleep logs that the participants in the study maintained, and watchlike devices called actigraphs that record when sleep actually begins and ends. How accurate the sleep logs are makes you wonder considering one of the researchers in the study noted that "Many people believe that it's testimony to the active and important lives they lead not to overestimate their sleep." One hundred years ago, people claimed they slept on average nine hours a night. By 1960, the average people reported sleeping time dropped to eight hours. Currently, most people say they get between six to seven hours sleep a night.

On a serious note, adequate sleep is essential in maintaining good health. This is when your body is most active in its healing and renewal process. And while I am not a big fan in the accuracy of studies that base their findings on questionnaires, I am fairly certain most of us already know we are not getting enough sleep. The long-term adverse health affects of insufficient sleep, and not blocking out the light that might be altering hormones that increase cancer risks, is a real concern we need to keep in mind.