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The BasicsOverviewIt's important to get enough sleep. Sleep helps keep your mind and body healthy. How much sleep do I need?Most adults need 7 or more hours of good-quality sleep on a regular schedule each night. Getting enough sleep isn’t only about total hours of sleep. It’s also important to get good-quality sleep on a regular schedule so you feel rested when you wake up. If you often have trouble sleeping — or if you often still feel tired after sleeping — talk with your doctor. How much sleep do children need?Kids need even more sleep than adults:
Health BenefitsWhy is getting enough sleep important?Getting enough sleep has many benefits. It can help you:
Sleep ScheduleDoes it matter when I sleep?Yes. Your body sets your “biological clock” according to the pattern of daylight where you live. This helps you naturally get sleepy at night and stay alert during the day. If you have to work at night and sleep during the day, you may have trouble getting enough sleep. It can also be hard to sleep when you travel to a different time zone. Get sleep tips to help you:
Trouble SleepingWhy can’t I fall asleep?Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:
If you're having trouble sleeping, try making changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. You may want to:
Sleep DisordersHow can I tell if I have a sleep disorder?Sleep disorders can cause many different problems. Keep in mind that it’s normal to have trouble sleeping every now and then. People with sleep disorders generally experience these problems on a regular basis. Common signs of sleep disorders include:
If you have any of these signs, talk to a doctor or nurse. You may need testing or treatment for a sleep disorder. To learn more about sleep disorders:
Take ActionDaytime HabitsMaking small changes to your daily routine can help you get the sleep you need. Change what you do during the day.
Get tips for:
Nighttime HabitsCreate a good sleep environment.
Set a bedtime routine.
If you’re still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up. Do something relaxing, like reading or meditating, until you feel sleepy. See a Doctor
If you're concerned about your sleep, see a doctor.Talk with a doctor or nurse if you have any of the following signs of a sleep disorder:
Even if you don’t have these problems, talk with a doctor if you feel like you often have trouble sleeping. Keep a sleep diary [PDF - 53 KB] for a week and share it with your doctor. A doctor can suggest different sleep routines or medicines to treat sleep disorders. Talk with a doctor before trying over-the-counter sleep medicine. Content last updated July 15, 2022 Reviewer InformationThis information on sleep was adapted from materials from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Aging. Reviewed by: August 2021 Is it OK to get 5 hours of sleep once?Sometimes life calls and we don't get enough sleep. But five hours of sleep out of a 24-hour day isn't enough, especially in the long term. According to a 2018 study of more than 10,000 people, the body's ability to function declines if sleep isn't in the seven- to eight-hour range.
Is 6 hours sleep enough?For most of us, six hours of sleep is not enough for one night. Scientific evidence indicates the average sleep need is around 8 hours and 40 minutes per night (plus or minus 10 minutes or so), with 13.5% of us requiring nine hours or more of sleep time.
Can your body function on 2 hours of sleep?The answer to this question is an emphatic no. Most people will still be impaired from sleep deficiency even if they sleep for more than twice this amount.
Is it OK to sleep 4 hours a day?For most people, 4 hours of sleep per night isn't enough to wake up feeling rested and mentally alert, no matter how well they sleep. There's a common myth that you can adapt to chronically restricted sleep, but there's no evidence that the body functionally adapts to sleep deprivation.
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