How long to sleep

Ellen Says: Most 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.