During sleep, the body does not simply rest passively. Important processes take place that are connected to recovery, brain function, and the overall balance of the body.
Getting enough quality sleep can help maintain attention, memory, and the ability to concentrate. For children and teenagers, sleep is also important for learning, behavior, and emotional regulation.
For adults, regularly not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of health problems. Experts therefore recommend that healthy adults regularly get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Babies Need the Most Sleep
Newborns may sleep approximately 14 to 17 hours over a 24-hour period. However, their sleep is divided into shorter periods and may not follow the typical nighttime schedule of adults.
As they grow older, their overall need for sleep gradually decreases. Infants between 4 and 12 months are recommended to get 12 to 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours, including naps.
Children Need More Sleep Than Adults
Adequate sleep is especially important for children. Children between 1 and 2 years old generally need 11 to 14 hours of sleep per day. Preschool children aged 3 to 5 should get approximately 10 to 13 hours of sleep.
School-age children, roughly 6 to 12 years old, need 9 to 12 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period.
Lack of sleep in children can be associated with problems with attention, learning, behavior, and overall well-being. Regular sleep is therefore not simply a question of whether a child feels tired in the morning.
Teenagers Often Need More Sleep Than They Think
According to recommendations, teenagers between 13 and 17 years old need approximately 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day.
However, this is also a period when sleep schedules can easily become disrupted. School, going to bed late, using a phone or computer, and an irregular daily routine can result in a young person getting significantly less sleep than they need.
Long-term sleep deprivation may not always be immediately noticeable. A person can gradually become accustomed to feeling tired without realizing that their body needs more rest.
How Many Hours Does an Adult Need?
For most healthy adults, it is recommended to regularly get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Some people, however, need slightly more — for example, 8 or 9 hours — to feel truly rested.
So it is not simply about the number on the clock.
If someone sleeps for 7 hours, for example, but repeatedly wakes up during the night, the resulting sleep quality may not be the same as that of someone who sleeps for 7 uninterrupted hours.
Therefore, not only the duration, but also the regularity and quality of sleep are important.
