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How Long to Sleep and NeedMost adults sleep between 7 and 8 hours. But no one really knows how much sleep we need. Sleep duration varies widely. A natural "short sleeper" may sleep for only 3 or 4 hours, and actually function worse with more sleep. A "long sleeper," on the other hand, may need more than 10 hours. "Variable sleepers" seem to need more sleep at times of stress and less during peaceful times. Changes with age also contribute to changes in the ability to sleep continuously and soundly. A newborn infant may sleep 16 hours a day, an adolescent may sleep very deeply for 9 or 10 hours straight, while an elderly person may take daytime naps and then sleep only 5 hours a night. With advancing age, some people switch to shorter days and some to longer ones. Such a switch may be simply a normal condition of aging. Or, it may result From shifts in daily patterns, retirement, or changes in the person's physical or mental health. In general, sleep is helped by two factors-being tired at bedtime and being in tune with your own internal clock. Sleep may be difficult or less satisfying if it occurs at a time when the biological clock says, "It's time to be awake." To find out how much sleep you need, try to determine your own sleep pattern. You should feel sleepy about the same time every evening. If you frequently have trouble staying awake in the daytime, you may not be sleeping long enough. Or perhaps you are not sleeping well enough. Both the quantity and quality of sleep and wakefulness are important. You are sleeping as much as you need if, during your waking hours, you are alert and have a sense of well-being How Much Sleep We Really NeedSleep does the body good. Without sleep, people would lose their minds. To lead a normal life, a body and mind need to be refreshed every night with a proper amount of sleep, to function efficiently the following day. Sleep is very important to be able to function normally on an everyday basis. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) scientists, led by directors Story C. Landis, Ph.D and Audrey S. Penn, M.D. have done research that proves that without enough sleep your mind is tired and unable to concentrate and think well the following day. Everyday the neurons in a brain are drained of all their energy from normal daily routines and activities, but they replenish with a good night's sleep. "I think a few major factors that cause sleep loss are mothers with infants and young children, two hundred channels twenty four hours a day, and the diligent student that stays up all night studying. Or, there is the stress element; you can't sleep because of anxiety because maybe you have to wake up early to pay that speeding ticket," said Copper Mountain College biology teacher, Jeanne Cosby. Out of 50 randomly selected CMC students, half said they only get about six hours of sleep per night. The other half varied from three hours per night to eight hours per night. So, what is enough sleep? NINDS scientists say that seven to eight hours of sleep per night can be enough sleep for most adults. "If I only get five hours of sleep, I still feel fine because I exercise on a regular basis," said full-time CMC student, worker, and mother, Nieleh Willcots. Here are some tips on how to get a good night sleep, brought to you by NINDS and the National Sleep Foundation.
If your problems continue, then you need to see a doctor |