You've probably heard that humans need at least 8 hours of sleep per night. If you're someone who tends to get less than that every day, you probably wonder if that saying is even true. After all, you get by just fine with 6 hours a night, right? The truth is, sleep is an important part of a healthy routine, and getting enough sleep is essential for your brain and body functions. While it may seem like you can live with less sleep, getting around 8 hours a night can improve your mental and physical health.
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Hours of Sleep By Age
According to the CDC, the amount of hours a person should sleep per night depends on their age. For example, babies, children, and teenagers tend to need more sleep than adults because they are going through growth phases that require extra energy. Generally, babies sleep anywhere from 12-17 hours throughout a 24 period depending on their age. This is because the newborn and infant stages of life are the fastest growth-wise, and they require more sleep to support those changes. As children get older, they tend to slowly decrease the amount of sleep they need and switch from napping regularly during the day to just sleeping once through the night. By the time a person becomes a teenager, they generally need around 8-10 hours of sleep per night, although they may sleep for longer or take more naps during periods of growth. Teenagers also tend to stay up later and sleep in during the mornings, which is a natural sleep cycle change caused by puberty.
Adults ages 18-60 years of age need at least 7 hours of sleep per night, although 8 is closer to the ideal, per recommendations from The National Sleep Foundation. Some adults may require more or less sleep than others to function, but getting at least 7-8 hours regularly is important for everyone. As adults become older than 60 years of age, they may require slightly more sleep to feel rested, but their sleep patterns may remain unaffected.
Why Getting the Right Amount of Sleep is Important
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep is essential for allowing your mind and body a chance to recharge each night. This allows you to feel awake and refreshed in the morning, helping you to be alert and focused on whatever tasks lay ahead of you. Getting enough sleep also helps you to be more healthy overall. People who get proper sleep tend to get sick less often. In addition to the physical health benefits, good sleep also helps you to feel better mentally and can contribute to a more positive outlook on life.
Not only is it important to get the right amount of sleep, but it is also important to get good quality sleep during that time. Feeling uncomfortable from the wrong mattress, the wrong bedding, a room that is too hot or too cold, hearing background noise like a partner snoring, and other factors can all make it difficult for you to fall asleep, thus causing you to wake up throughout the night. Sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea, can cause you to have a lower quality of sleep as well. Luckily, there are treatments and solutions available for these issues. Once you find the root of the problem leading to poor sleep, your quality of sleep can improve quickly.
Find the Right Mattress to Help You Sleep
If you're ready to improve your quality of sleep so you can get those 8 hours a night, the first step is making sure you have a comfortable sleep space. If your mattress makes it hard to fall asleep, it's time to get a new one. Land of Sleep is the leader in quality mattresses and adjustable beds in the Sarasota and Venice area. Come visit us and let us help you find the right mattress to help you sleep comfortably through the night.
