Technology
How many Hours of Sleep do you Really Need? Myths & Facts Busted
Tracy Winson
August 20,2020
Sleep is a fascinating phenomenon that plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall well-being. We've all heard about the importance of getting a good night's sleep, but have you ever wondered just how much sleep we really need? The truth is, there are still numerous unanswered questions surrounding this fundamental aspect of our lives.

Let's start off with a fact that might leave you astounded: if you were to calculate the average amount of time we spend sleeping over a lifetime, it would add up to 24 years! That's right, 24 years of blissful slumber, dreaming away in the realm of the subconscious.
With this blog, we’ve set out to uncover once and for all what the most important research has taught us about sleep. And of course, how you can use this knowledge to create an unbeatable daily routine
But here's where it gets interesting. While healthy adults typically require a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night to function optimally, babies, young children, and teenagers need even more sleep to support their growth and development. So, how can we ensure we're getting the right amount of shut-eye?
Recommended Sleep Times By Age Group
Your sleep duration relies on various factors, however, age is a significant factor. Here's a breakdown:

If you’re an adult, the recommended duration is 7 to 9 hours of sleep, although some may function well with as few as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep per day.
Older adults (ages 65 and older) generally need about 7-8 hours of sleep each day. Whereas, women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often require several additional hours of sleep compared to their usual sleep patterns.
However, experts emphasize that if you experience drowsiness during the day, even in mundane activities, it indicates insufficient sleep.
Sleep Myths & Facts Busted
You’re living in a generation where myths spread faster than wildfire. And the myth about sleeping patterns is highly misinterpreted. So, let's explore some common misconceptions and accurate information about sleep which will clear all your doubts.
Myth: If you sleep one hour less each night, it won't impact your daytime functioning.
Fact: While you may not immediately feel sleepy during the day, losing even a single hour of sleep can impair your cognitive abilities, response speed, cardiovascular health, energy levels, and immune system.
#1 Myth: Your body can quickly adjust to different sleep schedules.
Fact: While it's true that most people can reset their biological clock, it typically takes one to two hours per day at best. Adjusting to new sleep schedules, such as traveling across time zones or switching to night shifts, can take more than a week.
#2 Myth: Increasing your sleep duration at night can resolve excessive daytime fatigue.
Fact: While the amount of sleep you get is important, the quality of your sleep is equally crucial. Some individuals may sleep for eight or nine hours per night but still wake up feeling unrefreshed due to poor sleep quality.
#3 Myth: Sleeping more on weekends can compensate for sleep deprivation during the week.
Fact: Although this practice can partially repay sleep debt, it cannot fully compensate for the lack of sleep. Moreover, altering your sleep-wake cycle by sleeping in on weekends can disrupt your ability to fall asleep at the right time on Sunday nights and make it challenging to wake up early on Monday mornings.
How to Improve Your Sleep Today: Make Sleep a Priority
Looking for tips to improve your sleep? Here are a few points you may find helpful.
1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule:
2. Be mindful of your eating and drinking habits:
3. Create a soothing sleep environment:
4. Limit daytime napping:
5. Incorporate regular physical activity:
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