Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is a critical but mysterious aspect of our lives, with most of us spending a third of our lives asleep. The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives, with babies and children needing more sleep than adults. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven to nine hours of sleep, while older adults can get slightly less and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 can get slightly more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Newborns | 14-17 hours |
| Babies and children | More sleep |
| Young adults (16-25) | 7-9 hours or slightly more |
| Adults (26-64) | 7-9 hours |
| Older adults (65+) | Slightly less than 7-9 hours |
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What You'll Learn
The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives
Research suggests that for healthy young adults and adults with normal sleep, 7 to 9 hours is an appropriate amount. However, it is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. Some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, but scientists believe it is more likely that they have become accustomed to the negative effects of reduced sleep.
Sleeping in on weekends can disturb our usual sleep patterns and affect how well we sleep during the week. Additionally, feeling very sleepy during the day or experiencing excessive sleepiness can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as obstructive sleep apnoea. If you are struggling to feel alert and awake, or if daytime sleepiness is affecting your daily life, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.
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The quality of sleep is more important than the quantity
Sleep is a mystery, despite being critical for our health. The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives, with babies and children needing more sleep, and people over 65 able to function on slightly less sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven and nine hours of sleep. However, the quality of sleep is more important than the quantity.
According to sleep specialist Dr Rafael Pelayo, it is important to think about the quality of your sleep and to wake up feeling refreshed. He says: "If somebody tells me that they sleep many hours but they wake up tired, something is wrong. You shouldn't leave your favourite restaurant feeling hungry."
Therefore, while the recommended amount of sleep for adults is between seven and nine hours, it is more important to ensure that you are getting good quality sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and energised when you wake up. This may mean that you need to prioritise improving your sleep quality over simply trying to get more hours of sleep.
There are many factors that can affect the quality of your sleep, such as your sleep environment, your sleep schedule, your lifestyle choices, and any underlying health conditions. By addressing any issues in these areas, you can improve the quality of your sleep and ensure that you wake up feeling rested and ready for the day.
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Sleep is critical for our health
It's not just about the quantity of sleep, but also the quality. Sleep specialist Dr Rafael Pelayo says that "If somebody tells me that they sleep many hours but they wake up tired, something is wrong. You shouldn't leave your favourite restaurant feeling hungry."
Sleep is still a mystery, despite how essential it is for our health. While the reasons aren't entirely clear, it's something that we all do, and it's important to listen to our bodies and get the rest we need.
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Sleep stages cycle roughly every 90 minutes
Sleep is still a mystery, despite how critical it is for our health. The number of hours of sleep needed changes throughout your life, with babies and children needing more sleep and people 65 and older able to function on slightly less than seven to nine hours. The National Sleep Foundation recommends most adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven to nine hours of sleep. Older adults can get slightly less and young adults between ages 16 and 25 can get slightly more. Humans cycle through sleep stages roughly every 90 minutes.
When trying to figure out how much sleep you need, it's important to think about the quality of your sleep. You want to wake up feeling refreshed. If you're sleeping many hours but still wake up tired, something is wrong. The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives. Newborns need the most sleep, somewhere between 14 to 17 hours.
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Sleep is still a mystery to scientists
Sleep specialist Dr Rafael Pelayo says: "The reasons aren't entirely clear, but it's an essential thing that we all do."
The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives. Newborns need the most sleep, between 14 and 17 hours, and babies and children need a lot of sleep because they are growing so rapidly. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven and nine hours of sleep. Older adults can get slightly less, and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 can get slightly more.
However, it's not just about the quantity of sleep, but also the quality. Dr Pelayo says: "If somebody tells me that they sleep many hours but they wake up tired, something is wrong. You shouldn't leave your favourite restaurant feeling hungry."
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults between 26 and 64 get between seven and nine hours of sleep. Young adults between 16 and 25 can get slightly more, and people over 65 can get slightly less. Newborns need the most sleep, between 14 and 17 hours.
This is because we are growing and developing at different rates throughout our lives. When we are babies and children, we need more sleep because we are growing and developing rapidly. As we get older, our sleep needs may change, and we may be able to function on slightly less sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 can get slightly more sleep than adults, with recommendations ranging from seven to nine hours or more.
People who are 65 and older can get slightly less sleep than younger adults, with recommendations ranging from seven to nine hours or less.
