Spending time under the duvet is serious business!
The amount of hours kip you need each day will change over the course of your life but it’s very important to get it all at every stage. Sleep needs will vary from person to person, but the chart below shows general recommendations for different age groups.
The National Sleep Foundation convened experts from sleep, anatomy and physiology, as well as paediatrics, neurology, gerontology and gynaecology to reach a consensus from the broadest range of scientific disciplines.
The panel revised the recommended sleep ranges for all six children and teen age groups. A summary of the new recommendations includes:
Sleep Debt
If you routinely lose sleep or choose to sleep less than needed, the sleep loss adds up. The total sleep lost is called your sleep debt. It’s not however like a financial account, and that a built-up debt must be repaid.
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how much you sleep each night,
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how alert and rested you feel in the morning,
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and how sleepy you feel during the day.
If your job or daily routine limits your ability to get enough sleep or sleep at the right times, talk with your doctor. You also should talk with your doctor if you sleep more than 8 hours a night, but don't feel well rested. This may indicate a sleep disorder or other health problem.
