How Much Sleep Do Adults Need?

There’s never enough time in the day and most people are willing to sacrifice their sleep before they’ll cut back on their late-night Netflix binging or even staying up late to finish an overdue project. And, while others would like to get more sleep, they routinely miss out on much-needed shuteye because, well…life happens. No matter which category describes you, it’s important to make an effort to get sufficient high-quality rest. 

Let’s talk about why getting enough sleep is so important, how you can tell if you are getting enough sleep, and how sleep apnea treatment can be key to helping you get the rejuvenating rest you need.

The Importance of Sleep

It would be easy to talk all day about how important sleep is, but here are just a few facts that highlight its true value:

• Sleep deprivation is associated with a number of serious health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, diabetes, weight gain, depression, and anxiety.
• Cutting back even on even one hour of sleep each night can lead to chronic and devastating health consequences.
• And, while not measured by a medical test, your quality of life suffers immensely when you suffer from daytime fatigue and irritability due to poor sleep.

Your Sleep Needs

The CDC reported on a study that found that roughly one-third of adults in the U.S. routinely do not get enough sleep. Do you find yourself in that group? If your nightly amount of sleep does not fall within the following optimal ranges, there is a good chance that you are:

• Adults ages 18 – 64: 7 – 9 hours
• Adults 65+: 7 – 8 hours

Of course, there’s some leeway with the numbers suggested above. For example, there may not be a cause for concern if a young adult functions best after 10 hours of sleep, or if a senior adult feels refreshed after just 5 or 6 hours each night. If you are unsure if you are getting enough sleep, you might find it beneficial to track your sleep patterns for a few weeks and analyze how you feel after your nightly shuteye.

How to Get More Sleep

A few simple adjustments to your daily routine might be all that is necessary for you to get more sleep. However, if you do your best to go to bed at a reasonable time and you still feel like you’re not getting enough rest, you may have a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, that is affecting both the quality and quantity of your sleep. Fortunately, sleep apnea is easily treatable… Something as simple as a custom oral appliance or CPAP therapy might be all you need to start getting the rest your mind and body need to function at their best.

If you aren’t getting the sleep you need, you can take steps today to start getting more rest, beginning with taking an online sleep screener. Investing in your sleep health will result in a healthier, happy, and more productive life!

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell, a board-certified specialist in sleep medicine with over 10 years of experience treating sleep breathing disorders is the practice’s founder and primary practitioner. The practice has four South Florida locations: Boca Raton, Melbourne, Vero Beach, and Jupiter. To learn more about Florida Dental Sleep Disorders and Dr. Kenneth Mogell, contact our team at 844-294-7559.