We all know that person who boasts about getting by on four hours of sleep a night and others who can’t function without at least 9 hours, but how much sleep do you really need?
You spend nearly one-third of your life asleep and even though you know getting a good night’s sleep is important to your well-being, it seems to get pushed aside thanks to work, social and family commitments. On top of that, between stimulants like caffeine and energy drinks, and the blue light from all our devices, your sleep/wake cycle is constantly being tested. According to the most recent data from the National Health Interview Survey, the proportion of Americans getting no more than six hours a night (the minimum for a good night’s rest for most people) rose from 22% in 1985 to 29% in 2012.
So how much sleep do you need? The number of hours varies by age and gender. The National Sleep Foundation put together a chart of Sleep Needs by Age from newborns to seniors. For example, teenagers should have 8-10 hours of sleep, young adults (18-25) and adults (26-64) need 7-9 hours and seniors need 7-8 hours. In terms of gender, on average women need 20 more minutes per night than men, though some may need more due to hormones. Understand that pinpointing exactly how much sleep you need (versus what’s recommended) should be based on how you feel on different amounts of sleep.
What’s the best way to make sure you get enough sleep? Make sure sleep is a priority. The National Sleep Foundation says: “You must schedule sleep like any other daily activity, so put it on your ‘to-do list’ and cross it off every night. But don’t make it the thing you do only after everything else is done – stop doing other things so you get the sleep you need.”
Looking for other ways to get a good night’s sleep? Try our app, Rain Rain Sleep Sounds, to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.