How many hours of sleep are enough? Mayo Clinic
How many hours of sleep are enough? - Mayo Clinic
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy LifestyleAdult health
Products and servicesHow many hours of sleep are enough for good health
Answer From Eric J. Olson, M.D. The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors - especially your age. While sleep needs vary significantly among individuals, consider these general guidelines for different age groups: Age group Recommended amount of sleep Infants 4 months to 12 months 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps 1 to 2 years 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps 3 to 5 years 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps 6 to 12 years 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours 13 to 18 years 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours Adults 7 or more hours a night In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example: Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you're not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity. Previous sleep deprivation. If you're sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases. Pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels and physical discomfort can result in poor sleep quality. Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly, take longer to start sleeping and sleep for shorter time spans than do younger adults. Older adults also tend to wake up multiple times during the night. For kids, getting the recommended amount of sleep on a regular basis is linked with better health, including improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, the ability to control emotions, quality of life, and mental and physical health. For adults, getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on a regular basis has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression. If you're concerned about the amount of sleep you or your child is getting, talk to your doctor or your child's doctor. With Eric J. Olson, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Sleep and psoriatic arthritisTest anxiety: Can it be treated? ShareTweet May 15, 2021 Show references Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep. Accessed March 31, 2021. Paruthi S, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: A consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2016; doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.5866. Landon MB, et al., eds. Maternal physiology. In: Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 31, 2021. Cirelli C. Insufficient sleep: Definition, epidemiology, and adverse outcomes. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 31, 2021. Kryger MH, et al., eds. Normal sleep. In: Atlas of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2nd ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2014. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 31, 2021. Watson NF, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: A joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. 2015; doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.4758. See more Expert AnswersSee also
Alzheimer's sleep problemsCan psoriasis make it hard to sleep?Sleep and psoriatic arthritisHidradenitis suppurativa and sleep: How to get more zzz'sHow a sleep diary can transform how you feelHow to sleep well during time changesI have atopic dermatitis. How can I sleep better?Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?Mayo Clinic Minute: Sleep Spoiler - Tips for a Good Night's RestMelatonin side effectsNapping do's and don'tsPrescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?Antihistamines for insomniaOTC sleep aidsSleep tipsSleep-tracking devices: Dos and don'tsStressed out? Skip the late showWhat is reflexology?Show more related contentAdvertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad ChoicesMayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE bookOther Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20057898 Healthy Lifestyle Adult health Expert Answers How many hours of sleep are enoughMayo Clinic Footer
Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This SiteLegal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage CookiesReprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.HON
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.