HOW MUCH SLEEP DO YOU NEED?
Sleep?
Sleep is a period of rest.
A National Sleep Foundation poll showed that most adults were only averaging 6 hours and 40 minutes of sleep during the week and about 7 and a half hours of sleep on the weekend. Since most doctors recommend that adults get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, a large percentage of Americans are considered chronically sleep deprived.
What is the recommended amount of sleep you need for your age and health?
So how much sleep do you really need, and are you getting the recommended amount of sleep for your age and health? Below are just a few of the most important considerations when determining how much sleep you really need every night.
Take a sleep vacation.
If you can, set aside a number of days when you go to bed at a consistent time and don’t set an alarm clock.
At first, you may sleep longer to pay back your sleep debt, but eventually you’ll settle into a pattern of sleeping a pretty much consistent amount of time each night – usually between 7 to 9 hours. That’s how much sleep you need!
Keep a sleep diary.
Record everything – when you go to bed, if you awaken during the night and, if so, for how long, what time you wake up and any naps you might take. Carefully record how you feel each day when you wake up and at different times during the day. The sleep diary should help you track how much sleep you need and whether you’re a morning lark or a night owl.
Pay attention to your sleep habits.
You’re not going on a sleep vacation and, even when you try, your sleep diary goes days without an entry. Then, pay attention to your body. Note when you feel like going to bed. Be aware of when fatigue sets in. 
Make sleep a priority.
When you learn how much sleep you need to be your best, make it a priority.
Instead of trying to stay awake for the late night news or setting your alarm an hour early, adjust your bedtime or waking time to accommodate your body’s need.
Why is Sleep Important?
Sleep isn’t just a time when your brain and body shut down. Your brain and body accomplish important tasks during sleep that help you stay healthy and function better when you’re awake.
Getting enough sleep helps you think more clearly and react more quickly. During sleep, your body produces hormones that help repair cells and tissues and fight off illness.
Not getting enough sleep can be dangerous, not only affecting your performance, but your health and mood, too. 
- Have a slower response time
- Take more risks or make unwise decisions
- Be irritable
- Behave poorly
- Have trouble with relationships
- Become depressed more easily
- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other medical conditions
- Become overweight
