Many years of studies have found that everyone needs adequate sleep. Sleep makes our mental abilities work better and our bodies function at their best. But you may have a more specific question: What is the correct number of hours of sleep for me?
The simple answer is that there is a range of hours of sleep advised for each age group. Below are the recommendations to start with for you and your family members. However, depending on your own circumstances and level of activity, your personal amount of necessary sleep might be different than your sleep range.
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Hours of Recommended Sleep by Age Group
Find your own age range and sleep recommendations in the list below. Note also how many hours your child might need—this way you can understand his or her behavior and energy levels better.
Age Range: Number of hours of recommended sleep.
- 0–3 months: 14–17 hours of sleep.
- 4–11 months: 12–15 hours.
- 1–2 years: 11–14 hours.
- 3–5 years: 10–13 hours.
- 6–13 years: 9–11 hours.
- 14–17 years: 8–10 hours.
- 18–25 years: 7–9 hours.
- 26–64 years: 7–9 hours.
- 65 or older: 7–8 hours.
Why is there a range? Because each person is different. Some people use more energy during their day and we all have different physical activity levels. Some people might have genetic reasons why they need to sleep more or less. You might personally sleep an hour more (or less) than recommended but still function well enough. Or sleep apnea symptoms could be ruining your sleep quality—which our dental sleep clinic can help with!
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What Are Your Personal Sleep Needs?
Here are some questions to figure out how much sleep you really need. Plus, the ideal number of hours for you might change based on current life circumstances, like a recent job change or a stressful time. So, ask yourself these questions:
- On your typical number of hours of sleep, are you able to complete the tasks that you want? And is your mood and health generally high? Or does a higher number of hours make you feel and act better?
- Do you use a lot more energy than a typical person in your age group? Does your job take a lot of muscle power? Or are you an athlete?
- Do you have known disease risks or complicated health problems?
- Do you have safety issues at work because of driving a forklift or other machinery? Do you have a long commute? Crucially, do you struggle to stay awake while performing these activities?
- Do you have to have coffee or other caffeinated beverages to function?
- When you have a day or two off, do you enjoy sleeping longer hours than you do on work nights?
- Do you have a sleeping problem, such as waking in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep or trouble staying awake at work? Have you had such problems in the past? Do you have signs of sleep apnea?
Your life situation right now may interfere with your ideal number of hours of sleep. But you can use the recommended hours as a starting point. Then, use your answers to these questions to decide what part of the range you are in.
Keep trying different amounts of sleep until you find the number that most often makes you healthy, alert, and happy. This can be a process, but it can eventually lead you to better health.
Quality Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Me
If you find that you can’t sleep well, We suggest you schedule a free consultation with Dr. Tim Stirneman, DDS, at Sleep Better Illinois, located in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. An evaluation of your symptoms will determine if you should move forward with an at-home sleep test. They will also discuss your options, including CPAP therapy or oral appliance therapy, the differences and benefits of both, and which would be best for you.
Call Sleep Better Illinois to Evaluate Your Sleep Today
Contact the Sleep Better Illinois to meet with Dr. Stirneman for a FREE sleep apnea consultation!
As a leader in sleep dentistry, he can help you take an at-home sleep apnea test. He can also discuss how a sleep apnea oral appliance works by gently moving your jaw forward, which moves your tongue off the back of your throat, so you are able to breathe more freely and get a better night’s sleep. The best part with using an oral device is you will even stop snoring!
Call Sleep Better Illinois now to learn more about a custom fit oral device.
Click Now for Your FREE Snoring and Sleep Apnea Consultation