How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
Sleep is underrated.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, people between the ages of 26-64 require 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Adults 65 years and older require 7-8 hours of sleep per night. In comparison, adolescents between the ages of 14-17 require 8-10 hours of sleep per night while school age children between the ages of 6-13 require 9-11 hours of sleep. Preschool children ages 3-5 years old require 10-13 hours of sleep while toddlers ages 1-2 years old require 11-14 hours of sleep per night. Newborns and infants up to age 11 months old may require 12-18 hours of sleep per night.
Here are some benefits of a good night’s sleep:
- Quicker pumping of cerebral spinal fluid across your brain to remove waste products so you awake with a clearer mind
- Slower breathing and more regular breathing action of your lungs
- Reduced heart rate and decreased blood pressure
- Release of growth hormones to rebuild muscle and joints and allow your body to recover from the...