There’s nothing worse than starting your day without enough sleep. Groggy, cranky, and already feeling like you just want to crawl back into bed is no way to go through life. Not only that, there’s new evidence to suggest that sleeping longer is good for both your short and long term health. So how much sleep do you actually need?

1. How Much Sleep is Enough
Sleep?
Posted By Nectar Sleep on FEB 1, 2018
There’s nothing worse than starting your day without enough sleep. Groggy, cranky, and already
feeling like you just want to crawl back into bed is no way to go through life. Not only
that, there’s new evidence to suggest that sleeping longer is good for both your short and long
term health. So how much sleep do you actually need?
That’s where things get tricky, and we’ve provided plenty of sleeping tips to help. The short
answer is at least seven hours, but just like a thumbprint, a sleeping schedule is as individual as
the sleeper. Don’t fret, That’s doesn’t mean that you can’t figure out how much sleep you need,
what constitutes good sleep, or how to get the most of your time in bed, we’ve delved deep into
sleep research to help you figure out your sleep profile.

2. Short Sleepers are in Short Supply
While there is a tiny subset of the population that can get by with less than six hours of sleep
(dubbed, “short sleepers” by sleep scientists), unfortunately most of us will need at least seven
hours to get the rest we need. This has to do with the REM sleep cycle, which happens
approximately three times a night. REM is when we get our best and deepest sleep, when our
body releases hormones like orexin and melatonin which are vital for revitalizing our bodies and
minds.
The natural REM cycle of the body takes about three hours to complete, hence the
recommendation of seven to nine hours. If you short change that sleep even an hour or two, you
could risk disrupting a super important part of your sleep process. That’s why you might feel
bloated, puffy, and grouchy in the morning.
Misconception: We Need Less Sleep as We Age
While it’s definitely true that kids sleep more – it’s been said that kids under 13 should sleep up
to 11 hours a night, and teens should sleep at least 9 – it’s actually a misconception that we need
less sleep as we age through adulthood. In fact, even though the elderly are famous for waking
up at the crack of dawn, they should still be getting a solid seven or eight hours of sleep a night.
The reason most sleep less is not because they need it, but because it becomes harder for the
body to manufacture those hormones as we age.
That’s why it’s vitally important to make good sleep hygiene a priority as we age. A new
mattress, consistent bedtimes, and less blue light are all ways that we can make sure that we keep
sleep a prerogative.
Your Body is Your Best Tell
While there are a ton of new sleep apps out there to tell you if you’re getting enough hours in on
your mattress, or if the quality of your sleep is the best it can be, the best way to find these things
out is to listen to your body. That might sound too simple, but it’s true. Try to fall asleep early
enough that you can wake up without an alarm. Monitor your feelings when you wake up in the
morning? Do you feel refreshed and rested or groggy and grouchy? The body knows when it
needs more, and isn’t afraid to tell you. If you suspect that you aren’t getting enough sleep, you
probably aren’t. The good news is that with a little practice and a little patience, everyone can get
the sleep they deserve. Now go be the best sleeper you can be!