mayoclinic.org

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Request Appointment

How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?

Answers from Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D.

The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors — especially your age. Consider these general guidelines for different age groups:

Age groupRecommended amount of sleepInfants9-10 hours at night, plus 3 or more hours of napsToddlers9-10 hours at night, plus 2-3 hours of napsSchool-age children9-11 hoursAdults7-8 hours

In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:

Pregnancy. Changes in a woman's body during early pregnancy can increase the need for sleep.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 and for shorter time spans than do younger adults. This might create a need for spending more time in bed to get enough sleep, or a tendency toward daytime napping.Previous sleep deprivation. If you're sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you're not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.

Although some people claim to feel rested on just a few hours of sleep a night, research shows that people who sleep so little over many nights don't perform as well on complex mental tasks as do people who get closer to seven hours of sleep a night. Studies among adults also show that getting less or much more than seven hours of sleep a night is associated with a higher mortality rate.

If you experience frequent daytime sleepiness, even after increasing the amount of quality sleep you get, consult your doctor. He or she might be able to identify any underlying causes — and help you get a better night's sleep.

With

Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D.

Sleep and weight gain: What's the connection?Sleeping pillsShareTweetApril 20, 2013

References

Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Accessed Jan. 16, 2013.Ferrie JE, et al. A prospective study of change in sleep duration: Associations with mortality in the Whitehall II cohort. Sleep. 2007;30:1659.Banks S, et al. Behavioral and physiological consequences of sleep restriction. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2007;3:519.Youngstedt SD, et al. Long sleep and mortality: Rationale for sleep restriction. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2004;8:159.Sleep myths: Separating fact from fiction. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. http://www.sleepeducation.com/news/2012/10/29/sleep-myths-separating-fact-from-fiction. Accessed Jan. 16, 2013.Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Jan. 16, 2013.Gruber R, et al. Impact of sleep extension and restriction on children's emotional lability and impulsivity. Pediatrics. 2012;130:e1155.

See more Expert Answers

Products and Services

Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health LetterBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th EditionBook: Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, 2nd Edition

See also

Healthy heart for life: Avoiding heart diseaseBetter sleepHow much sleep do you really need?Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?Melatonin side effectsNapping do's and don'tsPrescription and OTC sleeping pillsPrescription sleeping pillsAntihistamines for insomniaOTC sleep aidsSleep and technologySleep and weight gain: What's the connection?Sleep deprivationSleep tipsSleeping pillsWhat is reflexology?Show moreShow less

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse non-Mayo products and services.

Advertising & SponsorshipPolicy Opportunities

Mayo Clinic Store

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

Try Mayo Clinic Health Letter FREE!Mayo Clinic on Better Hearing and BalanceYour Home Reference for the Most Common ConditionsPractical answers to live stronger, longer and healthier at any ageJump-start Your Weight Loss Today!

Ads by Google

Products and services

Free E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

Healthy LifestyleSymptoms A-ZDiseases and Conditions A-ZTests and Procedures A-ZDrugs and Supplements A-ZAppointmentsPatient and Visitor GuidePatient Online Services

FAQ-20057898Home Healthy Lifestyle Adult health Expert Answers How many hours of sleep are enough

Mayo Clinic Footer

Request AppointmentGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This Site

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Terms and ConditionsPrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy Practices

Reprint 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

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

© 1998-2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

Patient Care & Health InfoHealthy LifestyleSymptoms A-ZDiseases & Conditions A-ZTests & Procedures A-ZDrugs & Supplements A-ZAppointmentsPatient & Visitor GuidePatient Online ServicesQuality CareFind out why Mayo Clinic is the right place for your health care. Make an appointment.Departments & CentersDoctors & Medical StaffMedical Departments & CentersResearch Centers & ProgramsAbout Mayo ClinicContact UsMeet the StaffFind a directory of doctors and departments at all Mayo Clinic campuses. Visit now.ResearchExplore Research LabsFind Clinical TrialsResearch FacultyPostdoctoral FellowshipsDiscovery's Edge MagazineSearch PublicationsTraining Grant PositionsResearch and Clinical TrialsSee how Mayo Clinic research and clinical trials advance the science of medicine and improve patient care. Explore now.EducationMayo Graduate SchoolMayo Medical SchoolMayo School of Continuous Professional DevelopmentMayo School of Graduate Medical EducationMayo School of Health SciencesAlumni CenterVisit Our SchoolsEducators at Mayo Clinic train tomorrow’s leaders to deliver compassionate, high-value, safe patient care. Choose a degree.For Medical ProfessionalsProvider RelationsOnline Services for Referring PhysiciansVideo CenterPublicationsContinuing Medical EducationMayo Medical LaboratoriesProfessional ServicesExplore Mayo Clinic’s many resources and see jobs available for medical professionals. Get updates.Products & ServicesHealthy Living ProgramMayo Clinic MembershipBooks and more ...Mayo Clinic Health Letter