Considering the fact that sleep is how we spend nearly a
third of our time, it better be used effectively. If the average person lives
to 75 years old, they spend 25 years of their life on Earth asleep. That might
sound like a ton of time but getting the right amount of sleep can extend your
life by decades, so it might just be worth it. Your quality of life also
improves, so this is something very important to keep in mind.
Some people might view that as time wasted, but it is
essential time to live a happy life during those 50 waking years. However, many
people try to skimp on sleep and get the least amount of sleep possible; there
are some serious health problems that can accompany lack of sleep.
How Much Sleep Do
I Need?
The amount of sleep you need changes as you age. As a
newborn baby, the average person needed 14 to 17 hours of sleep. This amount
decreases slowly until the child reaches school age, where they should be
getting 9 to 11 hours of sleep. Teenagers should shoot for 8 to 10 hours of
sleep, and adults should try to get between 7 and 9 hours. While some people
think this guideline decreases with age, at the point of adulthood until death
we should be aiming for at least 7 hours; this does not change.
Each person has a different sleep cycle that works for them.
The most important thing you need to learn is how to listen to your body. Even
though these guidelines are fairly universal, everyone’s body is different.
Some people thrive with 6 hours of sleep per day, while others might have
different needs and need 10 hours per day. If you can get to know your body and
listen to what you feel, you can adjust your sleep schedule and get more or
less sleep according to your needs.
Regardless of your age, the most important thing you can do
is make your sleep schedule a priority. Regardless of how much sleep you need,
you need to be getting healthy sleep. For starters, try not to use smartphones
or televisions within an hour of going to sleep. Avoiding this blue light will
make your sleep healthier.
What If I Don’t
Get Enough?
Not getting enough sleep can initially have some minor
issues, but they can grow into serious problems. At first, there can be
difficulty thinking when one is sleep deprived. Problem solving skills will be
lowered because your brain function will be slowed down. You may also
experience a lower sex drive.
More serious problems can include quick weight gain, which
leads to a host of problems itself, and you can even increase your risk for
certain types of cancer and diabetes. You’re also at risk for car accidents,
many of which are caused by drowsy drivers. For your own safety, you can see
how important it is that you get the right amount of sleep. Listen to your body
and get the amount of sleep you need!
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