World Sleep Day 2023: How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Really Need and Why it is Important
World Sleep Day 2023: Today, March 17, 2023 is World Sleep Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sleep for a healthy life. Almost all school books, motivational posters, or health tips have been passed down through the generations – a regular and timely sleep habit is mentioned as essential for a healthy life, yet we often overlook this very important factor. give We follow a good diet, work out at the gym, practice yoga to keep our bodies healthy but sleep is not something we stock up on.
Also read: Why is World Sleep Day celebrated on March 17? Theme, date, importance and values to share.
It’s time to change that.
Although there is a common saying that everyone needs at least 8 hours of sleep, this statement is a generalization. As everyone has different water requirements (yes, 8 glasses of water a day is wrong), every body needs different sleep depending on age, weight, activity etc. But yes, the generally accepted framework for sleep foundation is as follows:
- 7-9 hours of sleep for adults
- 7-8 hours of sleep for people over 65 years of age
- 9-11 hours in adolescents and preteens
- Under 7s 10-13 hours
- Up to 17 hours in children
However, it is a basic frame for healthy individuals. The Sleep Foundation suggests that the number of hours may increase or decrease depending on the type of activity, any chronic or acute health conditions, etc. Consider these factors when calculating sleep time:
- Are you productive, healthy and happy on X hours of sleep?
- Any current illness? Anything other than sleep can cause lethargy.
- Do you have more energy; That is, laborious work or play.
- Do you often fall asleep during jobs that require you to be alert?
- Dependent on caffeine?
- When not working, do you sleep a lot? Like Sundays or holidays? Or is your sleep constant?
While some people believe they have trained themselves to need less sleep, experts believe this is a myth. “Some people think they’re adapting to be more awake, but they’re actually performing at a lower level. They don’t realize it because the functional decline is so gradual,” says Cynthia LaJembe, sleep researcher. The expert says.
Sleep is important because during this time, the body’s muscles are weakened during the day and the brain recharges. Adequate sleep is essential for proper cognitive and behavioral function.
If you are not sleeping properly, it can have some serious effects on your physical and mental health. These include diabetes, increased risk of heart and neurological disorders, anxiety, wrinkles, dark circles, decreased response to stimuli, nausea, etc.