We all have heard how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, but have you wondered how much sleep is enough sleep? Whether you’re an adult, a teenager, or a senior citizen, you would want to ensure you get the right amount of sleep. Oversleeping or undersleeping (sleep deprivation) can significantly affect mental and physical health. It can also start affecting your cognitive functions, making it challenging to perform everyday tasks.
To ensure everyone gets healthy sleep, essential for restorative purposes, we have talked to numerous sleep experts and health practitioners who know precisely how much sleep is enough. Read along if you’re ready to explore the ideal sleep duration for different age groups.
Healthy Sleep Duration for Different Age Groups
Although different people may have widely distinct sleeping preferences, some ideal sleep duration can be used as a reference. According to CDC, the following sleep hours are ideal for people of different age groups.
If you are not getting the desired sleep, depending on your age, make efforts to improve your sleep quality. You can invest in premium bedding items, like natural latex toppers, to improve your sleep quality and enjoy an uninterrupted amount of sleep. Some people feel restless and energy-drained even after sleeping for the desired hours, and it often points towards sleep quality. If you want to rejuvenate while sleeping and enjoy all the benefits of a healthy sleep, you should focus on getting a peaceful sleep.
Can People Sleep More or Less from the Ideal Sleep Hours?
Whether you’re relying on a latex topper or other quality bedding essentials to get healthy sleep, sometimes you might sleep more or less than the ideal sleep hours discussed above. There can be various reasons behind it, but the two primary reasons are genetic makeup and sleep quality. Let’s understand each point in great detail.
-
Genetic Makeup
In most cases, a person’s genetics determine how much sleep the person needs daily. Certain genetic mutations also determine how long you must sleep, how your body responds to sleep deprivation, what time is optimum for sleep, and more. For example, while one person may need at least seven hours of sleep, a different person might only require six hours because of specific genetic mutations.
You can also find people who require eight hours or more of sleep time to enjoy its numerous health benefits. Since you cannot change your genetic makeup to influence your sleep levels and quality, focusing on getting uninterrupted and restful sleep is best. You can use a natural latex topper and other bedding essentials that promote healthy sleep.
-
Sleep Quality
Surprisingly, your sleep quality can determine how much sleep your body needs. For example, people with poor sleep quality may feel drained even after sleeping for seven hours or more. On the other hand, people with good sleep quality can manage with even fewer sleep hours. Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration are primarily responsible for numerous sleep-related health issues. Hence it is crucial to focus on getting quality sleep and not just enough sleep.
If your sleep quality is constantly affected, you may check your sleeping environment to find the problem. Investing in premium bedding essentials like a latex topper can help improve your overall sleep quality. You can also get yourself checked to identify whether you have any chronic sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, that are affecting your sleep cycle and quality. The more you improve your sleep quality, the better you’ll feel.
Effective Tips to Get a Better Sleep
Now that you know how much sleep people of specific age groups should receive, you should focus on achieving the ideal sleep duration. But, if for some reason, you are unable to get the desired sleep, follow the below-mentioned tips to improve your sleep quality, cycle, and pattern.
-
Stick to a Regular Sleep Routine
One of the best ways to get quality sleep is by creating a sleep routine and sticking to it. When you stick to a routine, your inner clock starts regulating. It eventually helps you get sound sleep, essential for restorative purposes.
-
Develop a Calming Surrounding
Environment plays a crucial role in regulating your sleep cycle. When your surrounding is cluttered and chaotic, falling asleep becomes challenging. But when you start creating a peaceful environment that promotes sleep, you can gradually improve your sleep quality.
-
Avoid Using Devices Before Bed
Avoiding unwanted chatter is the easiest way to prepare your mind and body. You can do it by putting away devices and gadgets at least 30 minutes before your scheduled sleep time.
-
Minimize Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine Intake
If you consume plenty of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine after evening hours, you can experience troubled sleeping cycles. Avoid drinking them in the evening hours and later, or minimize their consumption for the best results.
Enjoy Plenty of Healthy Benefits by Getting Enough Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is crucial to maintain optimum mental and physical health. When you sleep less or more, it can lead to numerous health problems. To help you build a healthy sleep routine, we have shared the ideal sleep duration for people of different age groups. If you aren’t already getting enough sleep, following the above-mentioned tips can help.