How many hours of sleep are optimal for your age?

Do you often feel tired and listless? Perhaps you sleep too little - or too much. It's not just too little sleep that is harmful to us - lying in bed for too long also puts our well-being at risk. A team of researchers from the USA has now provided information on how much sleep we really need depending on our age group. We took a look at this.

Idee für mich
via Ilka Hagenbücher
12/26/2020, 19:16
Frau im Bett© iStock
How many hours of sleep are optimal for us also depends on how old we are.

Many people think that the more sleep you get, the better. However, this is not true. In fact, the optimal amount of sleep depends on how old you are. The US National Health Foundation has published new guidelines in the current "Sleep Journal" and explains how many hours of sleep are good for the body and health - and how many hours of sleep can even be harmful.

How much sleep you really need

The overview tells you how much sleep you really need at your age to feel fit and well-rested. First of all: the older we get - the less sleep we need.

  • Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours
  • Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours
  • Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
  • Preschool children (3-5 years): 10-13 hours
  • School children (6-13 years): 9-11 hours
  • Teenagers (14-17 years): 8-10 hours
  • Young adults (18-25 years): 7-9 hours
  • Adults (26-64 years): 7-9 hours
  • Seniors (65+): 7-8 hours

How we recognize our individual sleep needs

The need for sleep can vary from person to person. If yours deviates widely from the guideline values, this indicates a very extended or extremely shortened need for sleep. The US researchers also warn against regularly exceeding the upper or lower limit of the guideline values. This could lead to health problems.

We have a few questions you can ask yourself to find out how many hours of sleep are best for you:

  • Are you productive and fit after just seven hours of sleep? Or do you need nine hours of sleep to feel fully active and balanced?
  • Do you suffer from sleep problems?
  • Do you have any health restrictions, such as being overweight?
  • Do you sometimes feel sleepy when driving?
  • Do you drink coffee during the day to feel fit and get through the day better?

>> Plants for the bedroom

Date: 02.07.2020
Author: Ilka-Marie Hagenbücher