To give you a quick answer, yes, you do need 8-9 hours of sleep every night. More even, if you’re younger. Newborns, for example, require up to 17 hours of sleep per day to develop well. But as newborns grow into kids, teens, and enter adulthood, sleep is still crucial.
It’s not hard to understand the importance of sleep. We all know that sleeping well and being fully rested is essential to our mind and body’s overall health. Everyone has probably had an interesting story to tell about the consequences of being sleep deprived – especially new parents, people working night shifts, or students up all night studying for exams.
Regardless of why you may be sleep-deprived, it’s still important to try and get the recommended hours of snooze time. So, this comprehensive sleep guide aims to help you understand how sleep works and what it does to your body. We’ve also covered tried-and-tested tips for better sleep as well as helpful information on sleep health, sleep disorders due to trauma or depression, and some bonus topics on COVID-19-related sleep information. At the end of this article, you’ll know so much about sleep that you’ll surely be encouraged to catch restful Zzzz’s at night.

Main Points
- Having more profound insights into our sleep patterns helps us understand what happens to our body while we sleep.
- Sleep health experts still do not know why we sleep. We know what happens when we are sleep deprived, but there is no definitive answer as to why our body shuts down at night. However, there are many widely-accepted theories.
- Getting the right amount of sleep may sound like tired, old advice but experts still recommend this if we want to stay focused, alert, healthy, and happy.
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
Getting the appropriate amount of sleep is critical to your health. It improves the function of your organs and tissues while also preparing your brain functions for the next day. The amount of sleep you need differs depending on how old you are. It also plays a different role depending on each specific stage of development.
See our guide below for you to know exactly how much sleep you need from ages 0 to 64 years+ old and also check our complete sleep guide for other information.
Newborn (0 - 4 months)
Recommended amount of sleep: 14 – 17 hours
Since newborns are brand new humans, they do not have a circadian rhythm yet, and as such, they go through several phases of sleep. These phases typically last between 2.4 and 4 hours.
But why do newborns, who are so tiny, need so much sleep? The answer is simple: newborns are recommended to sleep anywhere from 14 to 17 hours because they need to become bigger and stronger. While we associate sleep with resting and recharging, for newborns, sleep means something else entirely.
While asleep, their little bodies are busy at work to ensure that the food they take in (formula or breast milk) is turned into new muscles, fat, bone mass, tendons, and everything their fragile body needs to grow.
Infants & Babies (4 months - 1 year old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 12 – 15 hours
This is when the brain begins forming distinct sleep stages. Infants generally start developing more distinct sleeping routines at this age, including 2 to 3 naps per day. An infant typically sleeps 12 to 15 hours distributed throughout the day into night.
In the same way that newborns need sleep to grow, infants need it just as much. From 4 to 12 months old, babies need to meet certain milestones to ensure that they are growing well. For example, their first smile, first word, first tooth, first time to sit up, first time to roll over – these are some common developmental milestones that each baby needs to meet. And sleep, along with the proper diet, love, and affection of their caregivers, will help them develop into healthy toddlers.
Toddlers (1 year - 2 years old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 11 – 14 hours
By the time a child is a toddler, their sleeping patterns are fully developed. They spend a quarter of their time in deep sleep and another quarter in REM. This is a higher percentage of time than we spend as an adult. Toddlers are recommended to sleep between 11 and 14 hours per day, including one to two naps. Also, this is when they stop having bodily movements during REM.
In terms of health and development, sleep affects many aspects of a toddler’s overall growth. It’s so crucial that getting too little of it will show almost-immediate effects on toddlers. For example, you’ll find that underslept toddlers are more easily agitated, have more tantrums, and, in some extreme cases, more sickly.
Following a strict bedtime routine will allow toddlers to sleep better, deeper, and longer, positively affecting their height and weight, including their emotional and mental well-being.
Preschool Children (3 - 5 years old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 10 – 13 hours
Preschool children need slightly less sleep than toddlers, and as such, their need to nap around twice a day will subside around the ages of 3 and 4 to just once a day. They continue to have deep sleep for a higher portion of time, but their sleep patterns become closer to that of adults.
Active toddlers should sleep at least 10 to 13 hours per day. This can be distributed to about 8 – 11 hours at night and 2 hours worth of naps during the day.
School-aged Children (6 - 13 years old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 9 – 11 hours
Sleep is crucial for school-aged children who tend to have more activities compared to their toddler years. From homework to after-school activities like sports or music lessons, school-aged children need as much rest as they can get.
This is why it’s recommended for them to sleep from 9 to 11 hours per day. Their deep sleep remains high, at around 20 to 25% of their daily sleep. This type of sleep is essential for growth and development especially for children with special needs. You can jump to the sections below to learn more about the stages of sleep.
It can be hard to tell whether your school-age child is getting enough sleep. Unlike older kids, tired school-aged children tend not to slow down. Instead, they become more active. This is why a child might refuse to go to sleep at night. Some reasons why your child may be having trouble sleeping are sleep apnea and ADHD. These two conditions tend to correlate because they both occur in the same part of the brain.
The best way to ensure that your school-aged child gets the sleep they need is to continue maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and avoid taking any food or drink with high sugar content 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Adolescents (14 - 17 years old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 8 – 10 hours
When a child enters their teen years, their circadian rhythm changes, they go to bed later and tend to wake up later. However, a teen should be getting 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, but due to early school times and other activities, sleep deprivation is prevalent among the teen years.
In fact, many experts say that sleeplessness among teenagers raises an alarming concern towards their mental and emotional well-being. For example, a study participated by 28,000 high school students in Virginia found that every hour of sleep deprivation predicted potentially disastrous results: a 38% increase in depression symptoms, a 23% increase in substance abuse, and a 58% increase in suicide attempts.
So, while it might be easy for us to forget that teenagers still need the right amount of sleep, we all need to work harder to remind our teenaged friends and family to never forget that sleeping well can heal the mind and body. There are many tried-and-tested ways for teens to get the sleep they need, including learning how to manage their time and not overloading their schedules with too much activity.
Parents and caregivers can also play an active role in encouraging sleep in teens, such as connecting rest with motivators like extending car privileges or other similar rewards. Making the connection between good sleep and better outcomes during exams or other school activities will also help teens see that sleeping well is important.
Young Adults (18 - 25 years old) & Adults (26 - 64 years old)
Recommended amount of sleep: 7-9 hours
As teenagers enter young adulthood, their circadian rhythm begins adjusting back to normal. Going to bed earlier becomes more natural, making early start times much more manageable. People of these ages generally need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
For fully-grown adults ages 26 years old and above, the circadian rhythm continues drifting back to an earlier bedtime. The need for sleep remains between 7 and 9 hours. As you age, less sleep is necessary to feel well-rested.
It’s important to note that the recommended sleep times for young adults and adults vary because everyone has different needs. According to Dr. Michael Breus, sleep specialist and author of “The Power of When,” the average adult requires an average of about 7.5 hours of sleep and not the proverbial 8 hours. Some can thrive and function on about 6+ hours of sleep, while others need more. Dr. Breus says our sleep drive, much like our hunger drive, is different for each of us.
As such, we can’t compare our sleep needs with that of another individual. To determine exactly how many hours of sleep you need, Dr. Breus recommends using the following method:
- Count back 7.5 hours from your normal waking time. You can then use that as your bedtime for about a week.
- Once you have your bedtime hour figured out, set an alarm.
- If you're unable to wake up five minutes before your alarm after about a week, you can push your bedtime back a half an hour. Continue to do so until you can wake up without your alarm.
Note that this method won’t work if you’re a night owl or a very early riser.
Older Adults (26 - 64 years)
Recommended amount of sleep: 7-8 hours
In an ideal world, the elderly would get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, but this is not the case for many. Due to a common syndrome called Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), many have trouble sleeping. This affects 13% of men and 35% of women. In addition to this, it can be difficult for the elderly to get sleep due to illness or medication. Both of which make uninterrupted sleep difficult.
Still, there are many ways for older adults to get the right amount of sleep: staying active during the day by doing light exercises, joining a club or pursuing hobbies, getting the therapy/medical help needed, and investing in the right mattress, bedding and sleep accessories for seniors. Check our sleep guide for seniors for more information.
Who made these sleep recommendations?
Organizations recognized by the medical community such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) or the Sleep Research Society (SRS) publish sleep recommendations based on age/development both for adults and children. These studies coincide with findings from expert researchers or panels composed of professionals from different fields related to sleep health.
What Happens If You Don't Get Enough Sleep?
Unlike eating habits that can be changed depending on the person’s need, sleep is, unfortunately, one of the few things in life that is something that’s difficult to adjust or make up for. For example, just because you’re busy today doesn’t mean you can simply cut down on your sleep without expecting any consequences. If you try to sleep less, your judgment will be affected, you will be less alert, and you will be moodier than usual.
Here’s a list of what will happen if you don’t get enough sleep:
- Long-duration or short-duration sleepers are shown to have higher mortality rates than people who sleep the average, recommended number of hours.
- Sleep deficit is also connected with poor appetite and weight loss.
- Weight gain is also something associated with sleep deprivation.
- Sleep debt can result in higher rates of depression and other mental health disorders.
- People who consistently lack sleep show a poorer immune system and lower memory function.
- Sleep-deprived people are more likely to have lower cognitive functions or less productivity.
- Your physical appearance can also be significantly affected if you don’t sleep well.
If you are chronically sleep-deprived, here are other health risks that you potentially face:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Lower sex drive
Also, if left untreated, sleep deprivation can lead to more severe sleep disorders such as:
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Restless Leg Syndrome
Other extreme forms of sleep disorders can even become a consequence of sleep deprivation, such as:
- Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS) - usually affects people over 60 years old. This disorder causes involuntary kicking and jerking movements of the legs and arms as much as one hundred times per night.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) - people who struggle to stay awake during the day.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - exhibits itself as an extreme form of snoring because the sleeper's airway is either fully or partially blocked. This can lead to repetitive awakenings at night.
- Parasomnias - this can present itself as sleepwalking, night terrors, or, in some cases, sleep-eating disorders.
What is COVIDsomnia?
In the time of a pandemic, sleep should be made more of a priority than it ever was. But it’s also understandable that, globally, people are finding it hard to sleep. It’s become a worldwide sleep deprivation phenomenon that sleep neurologists have aptly named it “COVIDsomnia.”
In a nutshell, COVIDsomnia is a form of insomnia generally caused by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly. Some people who already have chronic insomnia are experiencing more severe sleep issues, while those that did not previously have any problems with falling asleep are suddenly experiencing it now.
If you or a loved one is experiencing sleep health issues related to the challenges of coping with daily life during this pandemic, then you should seek the proper treatment. You can find tips and resources in our COVID-19 sleep guidelines.
What Happens If You Get Too Much Sleep?
Have you ever overslept and felt “drunk” or just a bit muddled before getting up? According to experts, “sleep drunkenness” is an actual condition after oversleeping – typically over 9 hours. It’s aptly termed since anyone who experiences sleep drunkenness will feel groggy and disoriented.
While babies, children, and teens thrive on more than 8 – 9 hours of sleep, it’s not the same for adults. In fact, sleeping too much can lead to the same health risks as sleeping too little:
- Sleeping too much can upset the body's natural circadian rhythms (regulates our sleep cycles).
- Sleeping more than 8 hours per night is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
- Oversleeping can lead to dementia
- Excessive sleeping can also be associated with a sleeping disorder referred to as “hypersomnia” or excessive sleepiness.
- Oversleeping is also a symptom of severe depression, and, more often than not, the depressed individual who oversleeps may feel even worse off since they spent too much time sleeping.
How Do We Know If You Are Getting Enough Sleep?
Knowing if you are oversleeping or undersleeping all depends on how it is affecting your daily life. Sleeping too much or too little from time to time is expected. After all, our days are never the same. Sometimes we have to crunch deadlines and miss a couple of hours of sleep or, we might just need to get up early to pick up someone at the airport.
Below, we’ve listed some common signs that indicate whether you sleep too much or too little.
Signs You Are Undersleeping
- Your appearance is affected (wrinkles, dry skin, eye bags)
- Your immune system is significantly lowered, so you'll feel sickly
- You wake up moody, easily agitated, and irritable
- You consistently experience "post-sleep inertia" or worn-out syndrome
- You are drowsy or feel sleepy during the daytime
- You are gaining weight
- You are forgetful and experience memory loss
- You are performing poorly at work
- You wake up at night from a bad dream, a sleep disorder, or stress
Signs You Are Oversleeping
- You feel "drunk,” dizzy, or disoriented when you wake up.
- It takes longer than an hour for you to fall deep asleep
- Your energy is low most of the day
- You feel depressed
- You may have hypersomnia (do not self-diagnose; seek the help of a sleep health professional if you are experiencing hypersomnia symptoms)
- You may experience weight gain due to a lack of activity
While the above are common signs that you experience if you sleep too much or too little, sometimes these can also be a symptom of something deeper. This is why if your sleep patterns are erratic lately and it’s negatively affecting your work or your life in general, it’s best to seek the advice of a sleep health professional.
What Happens When We Sleep?
Now that we’ve covered exactly how much sleep you need to get and how to tell if you’re sleeping too much or too little, plus some simple tips to make your night better, it’s time to dig a little deeper and find out exactly what happens while our eyes are closed.
Why Do We Sleep?
The question of why we sleep has been debated for a long time. Whether it started with the dream theories of the ancient Greeks and Romans or continued with the recent era of brain imaging techniques, there are still many unanswered questions either way.
According to Dr. Michael Halassa, a neuroscientist at New York University, “It’s obvious why we need to eat, for example, and reproduce … but it’s not clear why we need to sleep at all.”
For the most part, we know what happens to our bodies if we don’t sleep, but even the most experienced sleep scientists cannot pinpoint exactly why. There are, however, a few theories that attempt to explain the reasons why our bodies go “offline” for a few hours of the day. Researchers, however, all seem to agree that sleep plays a vital role in the brain’s plasticity.
Brain plasticity (or neuroplasticity) refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself. Without this particular feature, the brain would be unable to “re-wire” itself after brain damage or develop from infancy to adulthood. Research findings are as of yet fragmentary, but results do show that sleep is linked to the brain’s plasticity.
What we do know, though, is what happens when we sleep. The following section discusses the 5 stages of sleep and why each stage is vital to our overall sleep health.
What Are The 5 Stages of Sleep?
It was not until the 1950s and 60s when sleep stages became truly defined. In 1953, availability for an appropriate imaging technique finally became available. Where the rapid rolling of the eyes during sleep was observed, it was then referred to as REM (Rapid Eye Movement). It was found that REM is the stage where you dream. When this research was published, it quickly brought on interest in popular American culture.
Several years later, they would define the stages of sleep based on brain waves and breathing. There are three more stages in our sleep cycle, including stages 1, 2, and 3. There is a debated fourth stage too, which is characterized by extremely slow brain waves. However, it is so similar to stage 3 that it can generally be lumped together into one stage of deep sleep.
Sleep cycles make up the duration of our sleep. Once we shut our eyes, there are two types of sleep. These are:
- Non-Rem (NREM) - generally characterized by slower breathing and less brain activity.
- REM sleep - REM is the opposite, with brain waves closer to our wakeful state.
We pass through 3 to 5 cycles each night, with each one lasting anywhere from 90 to 110 minutes. The shortest cycle of the night is the first to pass through 3 to 5 each night.
Differences in brain activity and roles characterize each stage of sleep. They are each important in their way and help make you a healthier person. Deep sleep plays a role in muscle and brain regeneration, while REM restores your mind. Experts also say that REM perhaps plays a role in “cleaning up” irrelevant information that builds up in your brain during the day. Additionally, recovery sleep is necessary when sleep is put off for a while.
The 5 Stages of Sleep
Quick Overview
These 5 stages include the four stages of NREM and REM itself. The stages of NREM follow a pattern of getting increasingly deeper. This includes lower heartbeat and blood pressure. Another symptom of deep sleep is alpha brain waves.
N1 is the lightest sleep, sometimes acting as a transition between wakefulness and rest. N2 is a deeper form of light sleep while taking up 50% of your total sleep time. Finally, there is deep sleep. These are the N3 and N4 stages of sleep. They are about identical, with slightly slower brain waves during N4.
How do Sleep Patterns Cycle While You Sleep?
Sleep patterns change cyclically throughout the night. One does not switch to REM immediately after the N3 stage of sleep. Instead, the body must adjust to much more rapid brain waves. So a cycle would flow as follows: N1, N2, N3, N2, N1, REM. This means that most of your sleep is spent in N2, with only 10 – 15% in restorative sleep. However, more recovery sleep is necessary when rest is put off for a while.
Let’s have a closer look at each stage of sleep:
Stage 1 - Shallow Sleep
Typically, after hitting your pillow, stage one sleep follows within moments. This first stage of sleep is shallow and ordinarily will not last more than 7 minutes. As the lightest of NREM sleep, outside distractions often cause awakenings.
The brain rocks your body to sleep with high amplitude theta waves. These are very slow brain waves, which relax your entire body. Sometimes other symptoms such as hypnic jerks (abrupt muscle spasms), or a sense of falling can occur.
Stage 2 - NREM Sleep
This is the first stage of defined NREM sleep. (Though it is still considered a form of light sleep). You become less aware of your surroundings, making awakenings less common — the body temperature drops, followed by a decrease in breathing and heartbeat.
The brain begins producing rhythmic brain waves known as sleep spindles and K-complex structures. These brain waves are not fully understood but are believed to be a signal of stable sleep. Some theories claim that they are similar to a sound machine. They make patterned rhythms to protect the body from awakenings.
Stages 3 & 4 - Deep, NREM Sleep
This is the deepest of NREM sleep. The brain produces delta (slow) waves, creating the most restorative stage of your sleep cycle. Awakenings during this stage are rare and would cause sleep drunkenness if you ever do wake up. This means you would be in such a state of grogginess you won’t be aware of what’s going around you and perhaps fall right back to deep sleep.
Parasomnias can happen during this stage. These are characterized by undesirable behavior, showing up in the forms of night terrors, sleepwalking, and bedwetting. A sudden arousal from deep sleep often causes this. The motor centers, but not the higher centers, are awakened.
Deep sleep is very restorative. The brain resets for learning the next day. The immune system restores itself, and human health hormones are released. Bodybuilders once used a drug called GHB to lengthen their time in deep sleep. They found that the restorative properties were beneficial for muscle building and repair.
Stage 5 - REM Sleep
This is when most of your dreaming occurs. It is known as Rapid Eye Movement, primarily because of the quick motion of the eyes during this part of sleep. Brain waves are just as rapid as during the day, often “replaying” the events of that day. The body is temporarily paralyzed during this stage, making it impossible to act out the depictions in your dreams.
During this stage, the heart rate and blood pressure increase, and the body loses its ability to stabilize its body temperature or thermoregulation. When awakened during REM, sleep inertia (worn out syndrome) occurs. This causes a high sense of sleepiness which can sometimes last for a considerable time after you wake up.
At the start of the night, less time is spent in REM sleep. However, about halfway through, REM sleep takes on much more of a priority. The NREM sleep becomes lighter, and the REM sleep becomes longer in duration. Usually a person experiences 3 – 5 REM stages throughout the night.
How Do You Create A Great Sleep Environment At Home?
To create an environment that’s best for sleep, you must focus on your bedroom. Often looked at in the aspect of interior design more than sleep comfort, your bedroom should be a haven for deep, restful sleep. In other words, it shouldn’t just be something nice to look at, but it should also ideally be cozy, comfortable, and only filled with things that will help you sleep well.
If you don’t have the budget for a huge renovation, then that’s not a problem. The important thing is that your bedroom is neat, clean, and organized. When cluttered with other distractions like a desk for work, dirty laundry, books, or plates of unwanted food, your bedroom will no longer become somewhere for you to relax after a long day. This could be most challenging for the sleep deprived American homeless.
Here are some easy, helpful ways to make your bedroom perfect for sleep:
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Invest in a good mattress
If you’ve been experiencing discomfort while sleeping, then chances are, it’s your mattress that’s to blame. Have a good, careful look at your mattress (including your box springs). If it’s lumpy or sagging, then it might just be the culprit to a bad night’s sleep. Do you need to change it? What kind of mattress should you buy? Before spending your hard-earned money on just any kind of bed, first learn how to pick the right mattress.
As sleep advocates, we can’t tell you how great you’ll feel after sleeping on a mattress that suits exactly what you need. Our top recommendation would be the Puffy Mattress. Made in the USA with eco-friendly materials, it’s a bed-in-a-box mattress that’s carefully designed to contour the body while helping to reduce back pain.
You may be worried about the cost, but you’ll be happy to know that most quality mattresses are offered lower rates during special promos. Find sales and discounts from your favorite mattress brands. -
Get comfortable beneath the sheets with soft, warm bedding.
Aside from a quality mattress, you’ll need bedding that will improve your sleep quality. From a pillow that will support your neck and head to a blanket that’s cool, breathable but will keep you warm, we can’t say enough about investing in good bedding.
Other than your usual blanket and comforter, many people are also lulled into deep, serene sleep every night by using a calming weighted blanket. Be warned, though, once you start using a weighted blanket, you may begin to be too dependent on it and won’t be able to sleep without one. This isn’t normally an issue unless you’re traveling or sleeping somewhere else.
If you’re unsure where to start, you can choose from our selection of top-rated bedding products. From blankets to pillows, we’ve covered reviews for almost every type of bedding available. -
Up your sleep game by complementing Zzz’s with sleep accessories and supplements.
The best thing about technology is that it can positively affect our daily lives, sleep included. Whether you’d like to get an app to help track your breathing and heart rate as you sleep, or a smart eye mask to help with your light sensitivity, there are many sleep accessories to take your sleep quality up a notch. You can also create a DIY pillow from used shirts.
You can also try CBD oils if sleeping isn’t something that comes to you easily. Many CBD users swear by its effectiveness. If you’re a first-time user of CBD sleep supplements, then it would be good of you to know that it does not contain the addictive elements of marijuana.
Tips for Getting a Better Night’s Sleep
Making sleep a priority will change your life for the better. Try these tips below:
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Create a Schedule
Many people consistently wake up at the same time, but they aren’t consistent when they fall asleep. Pick a time to fall asleep, and do this every day. Falling asleep and waking up at the same time will be good for your circadian rhythm, making sleep easier.
Tip: try a sleep cycle alarm clock
If you are trying to set up a sleep schedule, consider downloading a sleep cycle alarm clock on your phone. It uses your breathing patterns in addition to your movements, to track what stage of sleep you are at. The best part is that the alarm wakes you up at the perfect time in your sleep cycle. You will never worry about waking up groggy. -
Exercise
Try to exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes each day. Physical exercise is proven to increase the amount of time spent in deep sleep and to increase your overall sleep in general. However, try not to do this right before bed, or it may keep you up. -
Avoid caffeine and nicotine
Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants, and they are likely to keep you awake at night. Research has shown that smokers get less sleep at night, and are more likely to wake due to withdrawal symptoms. -
Avoid alcohol
One of the symptoms of drinking is drowsiness, so it may come as a surprise that it can decrease your quality of sleep. A reason for this is that it blocks some of your REM sleep, making your sleep less fulfilling than before. Check our detailed Alcohol and sleep article too. -
Relax and don’t lie in bed awake
Find a way to relax your muscles before bed. This means that if you can’t sleep, don’t wait for it to happen. Such activities as taking a bath, drinking tea, and listening to calming music can make a big difference. Find something that makes you feel good, and apply this to your bedtime routine. -
Reduce the use of electronics
The light from electronics delays your body’s circadian rhythm. It makes your body think that it is still daytime and that you are not ready to sleep or sometimes you will experience microsleep.
However, it’s interesting to note that a 2015 study found that modern man may actually sleep longer and better than our hunter-gatherer ancestors. As a proxy for prehistoric man, researchers studied contemporary tribes in Africa and South America. Results showed that these tribes slept less than 6.5 hours than people living in urban societies, who were found to sleep around 7 - 8 hours.
So, while yes, gadgets may hold some blame for your sleepless nights, at least you won’t be up at the crack of dawn hunting for your food. -
Exercise and get the proper nutrition
Whether it’s yoga, Zumba or jogging, getting consistent exercise coupled with the proper nutrition, you’ll find that sleep won’t be as elusive.Aside from benefiting you during bedtime, exercise and the proper diet will help you tremendously help you with your mental and emotional well-being as well. -
Join a support group
Sleeplessness is often a symptom of a deeper problem. Whether you’re worried about personal issues or you have some financial concerns, sleep is hard to come by if your mind is weighed with troubles. Joining a support group of people battling similar sleep issues due to depression will help ease some of your sleep anxieties. -
Consult a doctor or sleep specialists
If none of the above is working, consider seeing a doctor. This is not a problem that you need to live with, and a doctor can help you get the treatment for serious sleep disorders and for you to get other recommendations for a better sleep.
Conclusion
A great night’s sleep doesn’t have to be a puzzle. It can be as simple as taking the time to prioritize it. Make a schedule, take time to relax, and exercise throughout the day. There is an abundant amount of solutions for insomnia, and it begins with right now. Choose to make this change because you deserve it.
More importantly, understanding how sleep works will also give you clearer insight on why it’s so critical to your overall growth hormone, health, and well-being.