The number of hours of sleep to be rested varies from one person to another. While some only need 5-6 hours of sleep, others require 10 or more. However, it is normal for a healthy adult to sleep an average of 8 to 8 and a half hours and the hours of sleep recommended by the WHO for an adult are between 7 and 8.
An American organization (National Sleep Foundation) published a comprehensive report, based on the latest research, in which it details how many hours to sleep according to age. For an adult between 26 and 64 years old, the ideal number of hours of sleep would be between 7 and 9 hours, although there is an acceptable interval of between 6 and 10 hours.
What is the optimal number of hours of sleep for us? There are signs that alert you that you are not sleeping well. For example, a person sleeps insufficiently when they need more than 10 minutes to fall asleep at night and if, upon waking up in the morning, they fall asleep again after a few minutes. These are clear signs of an inadequate night’s rest, according to experts. So are the feeling of exhaustion and daytime sleepiness.
The main causes of sleep deprivation are usually ailments that cause pain or discomfort, and mental disorders such as depression and daily stress. All of them can alter the circadian rhythm, a kind of biological clock that determines the cycles of sleep and wakefulness.
Infographic: National Sleep Foundation
