A significant connection has been found between commuting duration, housing dimensions and sleep disorders among Tokyo residents.
The study, led by Osaka Metropolitan University, revealed that metropolitan dwellers face a challenging trade-off between their home's location and size, which directly impacts their sleep health.
Scientists discovered that commutes exceeding 52 minutes trigger insomnia thresholds for residents living in standard 95-square-metre homes, demonstrating how both extended travel times and reduced living space independently contribute to sleep problems.
The findings also highlight a complex relationship between urban housing choices and well-being in one of the world's most densely populated metropolitan areas.
Metropolitan environments present challenges for sleep quality
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The research team, headed by Professor Daisuke Matsushita from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, made the connection while examining the sleep patterns of Tokyo metropolitan area inhabitants.
They employed stratified random sampling through online surveys to gather comprehensive data and calculated commuting durations by combining participants' transport methods with postal code data from their residences and workplaces, using a route search system.
The Athens Insomnia Scale measured sleep difficulties, while the Epworth Sleepiness Scale assessed daytime drowsiness levels.
The team's analysis accounted for various demographic and socioeconomic variables to ensure the relationships between commuting, housing, and sleep remained valid after statistical adjustments.
Extended commuting periods and compact living spaces both served as predictors of insomnia, even when accounting for other influencing factors. Additionally, prolonged travel times were linked to excessive daytime drowsiness among participants.
A notable discovery emerged regarding the relationship between commuting duration and residential floor space in relation to sleep disorders. The data indicated that a clear trade-off exists between these two factors when examining insomnia cases.
Specifically, inhabitants of dwellings conforming to the urban residential standard of 95 square metres for four-person households experienced insomnia when their daily commute surpassed 52 minutes.
This threshold represents a critical point where the balance between housing location and adequate living space begins to compromise sleep quality.
Japan experiences the shortest sleep duration amongst OECD nations, with citizens sleeping approximately one hour less than the international average. Between 30 and 40 per cent of adults globally report experiencing insomnia symptoms.
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Prolonged travel times were linked to excessive daytime drowsiness
| GETTYMetropolitan environments present particular challenges for sleep quality, with factors including extended travel times, noise exposure, and light pollution from high-density areas all contributing to sleep disruption.
While city-centre accommodation provides shorter commutes, suburban properties typically offer superior living conditions.
"Housing choices and supply that consider the trade-off between location and size may help improve the sleep health of commuters and reduce sleep-related economic losses in metropolitan areas," Professor Matsushita stated.
The research appeared in the Journal of Transport and Health.
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