How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?
| Age group | Recommended amount of sleep |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 years | 10 to 13 hours |
| 6 to 13 years | 9 to 11 hours |
| 14 to 17 years | 8 to 10 hours |
| Adults | 7 to 9 hours |
Pregnancy. Changes in the body during early pregnancy can increase the need for sleep.
Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly and for shorter time spans than do younger adults.
Previous sleep deprivation. If you're sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you're not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.
Some people claim to feel rested on just a few hours of sleep a night, but their performance is likely affected. Research shows that people who sleep so little over many nights don't perform as well on complex mental tasks as do people who get closer to seven hours of sleep a night.
With
Eric J. Olson, M.D.
Mayonnaise Clinic's Neighbor Mayo Clinic
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