Here's How Much Sleep You SHOULD Be Getting Per Night

Sleep is one of the most sought after things in adulthood. When you're in college you can't, or, for a variety of reasons, don't get enough sleep with studying, partying, and all around college aged behaviors (yeah, we're talking about those midnight McDonald's runs). Once you're out of college you're typically too busy trying to get ahead in your career to focus on sleep, and then once you have a baby any hope of a restful night seems to vanish into thin air like the hair on most men.

Well, I'm here to start a new revolution. Prioritizing sleep over work and other mundane or unproductive tasks such as social media can, and will, improve your mood, outlook on life, and overall health. So, implement a bedtime routine, get the sleep you need, and live life to the fullest.

There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.

 -- Homer

Everyone know's that sleep is important; Without it, you can't function. The real question is, how much sleep should I get? The answer to that varies of course by your age, so let's dig in. First, let me say that this article is intended to answer only the question of how much sleep you need. If you are looking for an in-depth article on the health benefits of sleep you can read more here.

The right amount of sleep varies by age, and generally, as you get older you don't need as much sleep per night. The National Sleep Foundation conducted an extensive study that took more than two years of research to complete. In this study, 18 leading scientists and researchers came together to update the official recommendations.

Here's how Much Sleep You Should be Getting 

While they do suggest how many hours of sleep to get per night based on your general age they point out that it is impossible to pinpoint an exact amount of sleep different age groups need. It is important to pay attention to your body and the signals that it is giving you whenever you determine your sleeping routine.

So, what's changed with this new study? They have determined that a new range "may be appropriate". Their chart breaks down the sleep recommendations into 3 categories: (1) recommended; (2) may be appropriate for some individuals; and (3) not recommended. 

Credit: National Sleep Foundation

For younger adults (ages 18-25) it may be appropriate to get 6 hours of sleep per night, but ideally, you would get 7-9 hours per night. The same goes for Adults. As long as you stay within these bounds you are likely able to function at normal capacity allowing you to effectively accomplish your daily tasks.

The real question is, are you getting the sleep you need? Our advice, get the right amount of sleep, but also get the right kind of sleep. We suggest you Implement a bedtime routine and find a mattress that works for you. This way when you are catching your zzz's you can maximize the benefit. We know that sleep is a precious commodity and most likely you aren't getting enough, but we also know that putting the effort in can make a whole world of difference. 

To read more about implementing a bedtime routine or finding a mattress that works for you check out our other posts!

https://sleepfoundation.org/excessivesleepiness/c...

https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep