We all want to live long, healthy lives, and sleep goes a long way in helping us achieve that.

Spending enough time sleeping each night (especially in the later stages of sleep, such as REM sleep and deep sleep) pays off immunity 15, mental health16, cardiovascular function17, and more. As previously reported on mindbodygreen, over time, sleep deprivation becomes just as harmful as chronic overeating or I don’t do 18. In fact, research shows that seniors who get enough (7-8.5) hours of restful sleep each night can live 3-6 years longer19 on average than those who do not.

“If there’s one positive thing we can do to slow the aging process, it’s really sleep,” Seema Bonny, MD, founder and medical director of the Center for Anti-Aging and Longevity in Philadelphia, told us previously. . “I hear a lot of people say things like, ‘I’m going to sleep when I’m dead.’ And the truth is, you’ll die sooner if you don’t sleep.”

Of course, supplements alone cannot ensure a full night’s rest. You need to combine these with healthy sleep habits (which themselves can also pay off in longevity), such as: