Would a different number of hours affect aging?

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In summary, the question of whether a different number of hours in an alternative environment would affect aging is complex. While the body has a natural rhythm, creating an environment with a significantly different day/night cycle could cause disruptions to circadian rhythms and negatively impact health. Humans are well adapted to the current day/night cycle and extreme changes could lead to physiological and behavioral changes. Submarines, for example, operate on a 18-hour day to maintain efficiency and avoid negative effects. Further research has been done on seasonal affective disorder and its connection to light exposure and circadian cycle hormones.
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novaprime
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If you where in an alternative environment would a different number of hours affect aging, compared to someone in the regular world.

At first though you'd think likely yes, but then consider that the body has a rythm. This isn't exactly a entirely theoretical question, I know submarines operate on 20hr days.
 
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Aging is a complex process that I doubt would be affected directly by this, however if you set up an environment with a significant different day/night cycle you could cause circadian rhythm disruptions which would negatively affect health.
 
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I think the "day length" for subs is 18 hours. See below.

Ryan is correct. If you created an isolated 12 hour day environment and put humans in it, there would likely be physiological changes in response to it. Since this regime never occurs naturally, and has never existed for primates or mammals, chances are really good humans would fare poorly.

We are very well adapted to life on Earth with circadian rhythms based on the current day/night cycle. Even so, humans do not fare well with extreme day/night regimes. Example: some people from temperate regions become so-called 'light looney' when day lengths extend to 20+ hours. They become overly euphoric, and tend not to sleep adequately for a while. SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is the reverse problem. Really long nights with short days cause human behaviors to deviate from the norm as well. Often this involves depression. Light therapy is sometimes effective to reverse the changes. SAD has been studied extensively. For example exposure to light mediates production of circadian cycle related hormones like melatonin.

SAD: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html

PS: ADA publication http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA306497
stipulates as 6 hour on 12 hour off cycle with no external light for long duration submarine operations. This is based partly on research, partly on naval tradition, and partly on efficiency of operation mandates.
 
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1. How does the number of hours we sleep affect aging?

There is evidence that suggests that the amount of sleep we get can affect the aging process. Lack of sleep can lead to an increase in stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which can accelerate aging. On the other hand, getting enough sleep can help our bodies repair and regenerate, slowing down the aging process.

2. Is there an ideal number of hours we should sleep to slow down aging?

While the recommended amount of sleep varies depending on age and individual needs, most experts suggest adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. However, it is important to note that quality of sleep is also important. Consistently getting poor quality sleep can still have negative effects on aging, even if you are getting the recommended amount of hours.

3. Can sleeping too much accelerate aging?

While not getting enough sleep can have negative effects on aging, it is also possible to sleep too much. Oversleeping has been linked to an increased risk of health issues such as heart disease and diabetes, which can accelerate the aging process. It is important to find a balance and aim for the recommended amount of sleep.

4. Does the number of hours we work affect aging?

There is limited research on the direct effects of work hours on aging. However, chronic stress and lack of work-life balance can have negative impacts on overall health and well-being, which can contribute to the aging process. It is important to prioritize self-care and find a healthy balance between work and leisure time.

5. Are there other factors besides sleep and work hours that can affect aging?

Yes, there are many factors that can affect the aging process, including genetics, diet, exercise, stress levels, and environmental factors. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and address any potential risk factors to slow down the aging process and promote overall well-being.

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