How Long Should We Sleep?

There’s been an ongoing debate about how many hours is the right amount that we should all sleep. Well, there isn’t a simple answer to this question since the hours we sleep depend on several factors like our age, health and whether or not we’re suffering from any sleep-related problems. Therefore, taking everything into consideration, the myth that everyone should sleep 8 hours per night, as we can see, is just that—a myth! However, there are some general recommendations which you can find in the infographic about sleep stats and facts.

So how long should we sleep?

Well, the hours we should sleep mainly depend on our age. The younger we are, the more sleep we need. Therefore, newborn babies sleep around 14 to 17 hours, while infants and toddlers need around 10 to 15 hours. As children get older, they need fewer hours of sleep. With that said, preschoolers need about 10 to 13 hours, while school children should sleep around 9 to 11 hours. Teenagers need even less sleep of about 8 to 10 hours, whereas adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

However, living in this modern world, the lack of sleep is often seen as something to boast about, especially in the business world. So, more and more people become addicted to their work, and completely disregard sleep.

Due to that, people from all around the world experience insufficient sleep. In the UK, 37% of people report not getting enough sleep at night, while Ireland is a close second with about 34%. In the USA and Canada, about 31% of people sleep less than recommended, while only around 10% of people in China and India suffer from insufficient sleep. In addition to busy schedules, more than 20% of people have sleep problems because of stress.

On the other hand, although sleep deprivation can give you more time to finish your work, it’s often closely related to numerous sleep-related disorders and health issues. So by sleeping less, you’re more likely to experience one of the 90 sleep disorders, while at the same time, you have bigger chances of gaining weight, as it’s reported that 5% of obesity is due to sleep deprivation.

There’s no doubt that sleep is a vital part of our lives. Getting the right amount of sleep does not only help us stay on our feet during the day, but it’s also beneficial for both our physical and mental health. What steps we need to take to ensure that we get the right amount of sleep and how this influences our health and well-being is clearly detailed in the infographic below.

How Can We Improve Our Sleep Quantity and Quality?

There are several easy tips you can follow to get more ZZZs every night.

• Try to stick to the same sleep schedule day after day. Even on weekends, go to bed at the same time and get up as usual.
• Avoid consuming caffeinated beverages late in the afternoon since caffeine may interfere with your sleep quality.
• Exercise on a regular basis. Workout can have positive effects on your slumber. However, don’t do any exercise close to your bedtime since this will have a counter-effect.
• Sleep in a pleasantly cool, dark, and quiet environment.
• Before bedtime, do something that helps you unwind. You can read a book, have a bath, or meditate.

These are just some of the things you could try to improve your night’s rest. Other steps you need to take to ensure that you get the right amount of sleep and how this influences our health and well-being is clearly detailed in the infographic below.

If you still have trouble falling or staying asleep after implementing these in your daily routine, it’s best to consult with your doctor to check if you suffer from any sleep disorder or any medical condition that can lead to sleep problems.

Keep in mind that sleep is a vital part of our lives. Getting the right amount of sleep does not only help us stay on our feet during the day, but it’s also beneficial for both our physical and mental health.