How much sleep do I need?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the amount of sleep people need depends on several factors, including their age, individual requirements, and whether they have been getting adequate sleep.1

The National Sleep Foundation recommends how much sleep people should get at each age. The recommendations are based on a review of more than 300 research studies.2

Age Group Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Day
Newborns
(0 to 3 months)		 14–17 hours (National Sleep Foundation)3
No recommendation (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)4
Infants
(4 to 12 months)		 12–16 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4
Toddlers
(1 to 2 years)		 11–14 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4
Preschoolers
(3 to 5 years)		 10–13 hours per 24 hours (including naps)4
School Age
(6 to 12 years)		 9–12 hours per 24 hours4
Teen
(13 to 18 years)		 8–10 hours per 24 hours4
Adults
(18 to 60 years)		 7 or more hours per night5
Adults
(61 to 64 years)		 7–9 hours3
Adults
(65 years and older)		 7–8 hours3

Although the amount of sleep you get each day is important, other aspects of your sleep also contribute to your health and well-being. Good sleep quality is also essential. Signs of poor sleep quality include not feeling rested even after getting enough sleep, repeatedly waking up during the night, and experiencing symptoms of sleep disorders (such as snoring or gasping for air). Improving sleep quality may be helped by better sleep habits or being diagnosed and treated for any sleep disorder you may have.

Citations

  1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Brain basics: Understanding sleep. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep
  2. Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S. M., Alessi, C., Bruni, O., DonCarlos, L., … & Ware, C. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: Methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40–43. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010 
  3. Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, Alessi C, Bruni O, et al. The National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40–43.
  4. Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D’Ambrosio C, Hall WA, Kotagal S, Lloyd RM, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: a consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(6):785–786.
  5. Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. Sleep. 2015;38(6):843–844.
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