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Most people know that sleep is important, but many of us still don’t get enough of it. Besides leaving you feeling exhausted (and desperate for your morning coffee), not getting enough sleep can have serious consequences for your body and spirit.
You may be wondering: How much sleep do I need? How do I know if I’m not getting enough? How can I get more sleep? This guide will reveal the secrets of sleep.
For more sleep tips, check out this seven natural alternatives for a better night’s sleep and this one three ways to fall asleep in less than 10 minutes.
read more: Can Technology Help You Sleep Better? This Is My 3-Week Quest for Answers
How much sleep do adults need?
Is six hours of sleep enough for an adult? The short answer is no. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least seven hours of sleep every night. Eight hours of sleep is considered the ideal amount of sleep you should get every night.
Calculate how many hours of sleep you need to function optimally and make it a priority to get that number.
These are the recommended hours of sleep by age:
- Newborns: 14-17 hours
- Baby (4-12 months): 12 to 16 hours with naps
- Toddler (1-2 years): 11 to 14 hours with naps
- Preschool (3-5 years): 10 to 13 hours with naps
- Child (6-12 years): 9 to 12 hours with naps
- Teen (13-18 years): 8 to 10 hours with naps
- Adults (18 to 64): 7 to 9 hours
- 65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours
Read more: 7 Products That Will Help You Stop Snoring
Am I getting enough sleep?
Most of us don’t know exactly when we fall asleep each night, so it can be tricky to figure out if you’re actually getting eight hours of sleep. The surest way to know if you’re getting enough sleep is to track it.
There are three ways to do this. You can start tonight.
Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
Besides feeling tired, lack of sleep can have a major impact on your life. Here are some of the adverse effects of not getting enough consistent rest.
Read more: This Is The Only Bedtime Routine You’ll Ever Need For Better Sleep
Daytime sleepiness
It’s 11 in the morning or maybe 2 in the afternoon and you’re dragging yourself along. You can’t help but fall asleep every now and then throughout the day. That’s not supposed to happen after a good night’s sleep.
Forgetfulness and poor concentration
You can’t remember facts and figures that you should easily remember. Or maybe you’ve had too many forgetful episodes lately.
For example, you often find yourself losing your keys or walking out the door without your wallet or phone. provide a link between cognitive ability and total sleep time.
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Irritability and anxiety
Have you been feeling thwarted by people lately? Have you found yourself feeling more nervous or anxious than usual? Our irritability and anxiety can skyrocket when we’re hungry for a good night’s sleep.
Weight gain
The cumulative effects of Poor sleep can also lead to weight gainfor starters. Research strongly suggests that chronically insufficient sleep results in decreased glucose tolerance.
Other adverse effects include an increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Read more: 7 Best Foods for Better Sleep
