Healthy Sleep

What constitutes healthy sleep? The amount of sleep you get is extremely important. But your stages of sleep determine how well-rested you'll be when you awake.

How much sleep is enough?

The amount of sleep we need varies from person to person, and depends on many factors, including age. Infants tend to need the most sleep, averaging about 16 hours a day, while teenagers need about 9 hours. Most adults, on the other hand, need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep to feel fully rested. But, it's also possible for some people to need as few as 5 hours, or as many as 10. Pregnancy can also affect women's sleep needs. In their first trimesters, women often need several more hours of sleep than usual.

How do you know if you're getting enough sleep?

You should sleep without interruption. When you wake up, you should feel well-rested, refreshed, and ready to go. Most importantly, you should generally have no sleepiness during the day, even when involved in boring or mundane activities. If you're feeling drowsy during the day, you may not have gotten enough quality sleep. And if you typically fall asleep within five minutes of lying down, it is likely that you have severe sleep deprivation, or possibly a sleep disorder.

Next: Benefits of Sleep