🤔⭐ How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? 🤔⭐

Sleep is essential for our well-being, but we often wonder how much sleep we really need to function at our best. Many times, we hear that sleeping less is a sign of efficiency or that a few hours of rest are enough, but this is far from true for most people. Today, we will discuss how many hours of sleep are needed based on age and lifestyle, and why adequate rest is a crucial part of our health.

🌚⏰ Recommended Hours of Sleep by Age
The amount of sleep we need changes throughout our lives. Our bodies and minds require different amounts of rest depending on our age. Here is a general guide on how many hours you should sleep based on your age group:

• Newborns (0-3 months): Between 14 and 17 hours per day.
• Infants (4-11 months): Between 12 and 15 hours per day.
• Toddlers (1-2 years): Between 11 and 14 hours per day.
• Preschoolers (3-5 years): Between 10 and 13 hours per day.
• School-age children (6-13 years): Between 9 and 11 hours per day.
• Teenagers (14-17 years): Between 8 and 10 hours per day.
• Young adults (18-25 years): Between 7 and 9 hours per day.
• Adults (26-64 years): Between 7 and 9 hours per day.
• Older adults (65 years and up): Between 7 and 8 hours per day.

These figures are just general guidelines, and individual needs may vary. However, it's important to understand that the quality and quantity of sleep we get affects our ability to function and stay healthy.

🧐 Myths About Sleeping Less
There is a widespread belief that sleeping less is better because it allows us to "make the most of the day" or that it’s a sign of productivity. However, sleeping less than necessary negatively affects our health and performance. Sleep deprivation is linked to decreased concentration, memory problems, mood changes, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Sleep is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It’s not just about the number of hours we spend with our eyes closed but also about the quality of rest we get. Sleeping less to "do more" is rarely a good idea; in fact, proper rest helps us be more productive and happier.

📈 Factors That Affect Sleep Needs
Our sleep needs depend not only on our age but also on our lifestyle. People who engage in a lot of physical activity or go through periods of high stress tend to need more hours of sleep to recover. Likewise, some people, due to their biology, may need a bit more sleep than others to feel truly rested.

It's also important to consider sleep cycles. Our sleep is divided into several phases, and restorative sleep involves going through all of them, including REM sleep, during which many essential processes for our mental health occur. Sleeping too little or having interrupted sleep affects the brain's ability to reach these deep phases of rest.

⏳⭐ Tips for Sleeping Better
To ensure you're getting the sleep you need, it's important to follow some guidelines that improve the quality of rest:

• Establish a routine: Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment: Keep the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Especially in the hours before bedtime.
• Limit electronic device use before bed: The blue light from screens can affect sleep quality.

📍 Final Considerations
Everyone has unique sleep needs, but there are general recommendations that help us understand how much rest we need based on our age and lifestyle. Getting enough sleep not only makes us feel better but also improves our performance, physical health, and emotional well-being. Don't fall into the trap of believing that sleeping less is better; on the contrary, prioritizing sleep is prioritizing your health and well-being. Sleep well to live better!

With love,
Dr. Arturo José Sánchez Hernández
Your friend in promoting health 💙
Discover more of my works at: https://books2read.com/asanchez