How much sleep do you need?
Children, teens, and adults alike are plagued with the question: How much sleep do I really need?
We all know the importance of sleep. It lays the foundation of your mood and attentiveness for the day. Students need the proper amount of sleep to do well on tests or perform their best for sports. The health risks sleep deprivation are, as quoted from WebMD, “ high blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, and diseases associated with these risk factors, such as diabetes and heart disease.” But the question still remains: What is the right amount of sleep for me?
This is a topic of hot debate in the health field, but it boils down to your own personal needs as an individual.
The sleep foundation set these guidelines for sleep
Using the chart as a reference point, you can determine the estimated amount of sleep you need per night. Of course, your individual lifestyle will determine whether you need more sleep or less of it. Try sleeping for different amounts in-and-around the guideline for your age group for your personalized sleep amount.
However, if you feel that you have a sleep problem, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a specialist. You may be suffering from a sleeping disorder.