How Much Sleep is Enough

Getting the right amount of sleep varies from person to person and among age groups. Despite variations in sleep quantity and quality, related to age and between individuals, studies suggest that adults should sleep 7 to 8 hours per day, 9 or more hours if you are an adolescent or school age child. The quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity. Both non-REM and REM are crucial for learning and memory and possibly for other restorative benefits of healthy sleep, including the growth and repair of cells.

What About Daytime Naps

Daytime naps are a strategy used to make up for lost sleep and to some extent are effective if kept under an hour. Sleeping much longer can make it difficult to wake up fully or make falling asleep at night more difficult. There is evidence to show that short naps can make up for lost sleep and improve alertness, work performance, and mood.

Making Up for Sleep on the Weekend

Many people try to make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping longer on the weekends. Unfortunately, if you have lost too much sleep, sleeping in on the weekend doesn’t completely erase your sleep deficit. Also, sleeping in on the weekend can’t help on the days where your mood and performance was affected due to a poor night sleep the night before.

Next - What Prevents a Good Nights Sleep?

References: US Department of Health and Human Services