How Much Sleep Do We Need
From LoveToKnow Sleep
How much sleep do we need is often a question people ask. The answer is not as specific as one may believe, though. Every person has a different need for sleep, though all people do require regular amounts of sleep to function properly. If you are not sure you need sleep, you may be shocked to know you cannot live without sleep.
How Much Sleep Do We Need
The amount of sleep an individual needs is not an exact science. Researchers say that there is no magic number for how many hours per night or week you need. Every person's body requires something different. Your lifestyle, activities and even your age play a role in the amount of sleep your body needs to get.
Some researchers state that the amount of sleep needed is an individual trait, no different from the other characteristics you were born with. Some people function better when they get nine hours of sleep per night while others may need just six to perform well. The key is to know when you are fully rested. Hereditary may be a factor in how much sleep it takes for you to be fully rested.
Factors That Play a Role
Researchers continue to look for ways to understand the amount of sleep individuals need. In doing so, the often use two figures to help gage the amount of sleep individuals need.
- Basal Sleep Need: Basal sleep need is the amount of sleep the body needs on a regular basis to maintain optimal performance in daily life.
- Sleep Debt: This is the amount of sleep lost or poor sleep hours. In other words, this is the accumulated amount of sleep you did not get you should have.
Doctors believe that most adults need between seven and eight hours of sleep per night, every night to function optimally throughout the day. This number is not specific and is often debated. Your basal sleep need, then, is seven to eight hours.
When you factor in sleep debt, the process gets more complicated. For example, you get five hours of sleep for two nights, giving you a sleep debt of at least four hours. If on the next two to three days you get your basal sleep need, you are still "in debt" those four hours. This means that you may still feel tired although you have gotten your needed sleep amount.
Making up the sleep debt is not always necessary. The more pronounced it is, the more likely you will need to sleep additional hours in the upcoming nights to make up for the loss. Researchers believe that you can make up your sleep debt by getting additional sleep in the days following.
Circadian Dips
In addition to these factors, the amount of sleep needed is often affected by circadian dips. These are the times of the day you are naturally tired. The body is programmed biologically to be sleepier and less alert at certain times of day. For many people, this is during the overnight hours and about mid afternoon.
Why Sleep Matters
How much sleep do we need? While the answer is dependent on your biological make up, researchers know that people do need enough sleep. Those who do not get enough sleep are more likely to have it affect the rest of their lives.
- Those who do not get enough sleep have an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.
- Sleep deprivation can cause increased appetite, which can increase body mass index. Not sleeping can lead to being overweight.
- Psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are more likely in individuals who do not get enough sleep.
- There is an increased risk of diabetes and heart problems in individuals who are sleep deprived consistently.
- A decrease in your reaction time could cause any number of accidents, failure to remember important details and difficulty paying attention.
The amount of sleep you need is dependent on what your body needs to be fully rested. As you can see, not getting enough sleep can lead to a number of very worrisome risks. Sleep is important.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 508 times. This page was last modified 11:34, 17 June 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook
