How Much Sleep Do We Need?

When it comes to sleep, everyone seems to say that you need 8 hours of it to be healthy. However, I remember being in high school having so many obligations and such difficult classes that I rarely got 8 hours of sleep. In fact, I was lucky if I got 6. When I was in college, everyone stayed up so late that I usually attended class when I was exhausted. I always wanted to return home and take a nap, but I worked full-time. So, I always went straight to work after school. Basically, I functioned on no sleep. Now that I work full-time, I have a hectic schedule as well. Often I stay up late and get up very early. Sometimes I get 8 hours of sleep. But most nights it is rare. However, I do not feel unhealthy, so I often wonder, am I ok? Or, should I be making more of an effort to get 8 hours of sleep.

Many people are curious about this same issue. They have families and children to worry about. Health is their main concern for their children and so they want to make sure that they help them get the sleep that they need. And, when it comes to the adults in the family, often they forget to prioritize sleep. Most of us probably realize we should get more sleep, but we are not sure exactly how much sleep is necessary.

According to experts in the health field, there is no “magic number” that you can aim for in terms of your sleep. Different age groups need a different number of hours of sleep. Also, different individuals require different amounts of sleep. So, it is a little difficult to come up with a number based on age and gender. The amount of sleep you need really is an individual characteristic. And, while everyone suggests we aim for 8 hours, there are people who may need 9 hours. You, on the other hand, may only need 7. Interestingly, not only do sleep statistics vary across individuals, but they also vary across populations. Chances are you could move somewhere and need less sleep or more.

Although a doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact number of hours per night you need to sleep, your body will be able to tell you when you are not getting enough. You have probably experienced the sleep deficiency problem before – the times when your performance is not adequate. It is important to avoid this because it hinders your ability to think clearly and perform at your peak level.