Sleep needs between individuals can vary, so how do you know if you are actually getting sufficient shuteye?
Conventional wisdom states that adults should aim for around eight hours of sleep each night, but that advice is increasingly outdated. Instead, people should focus more on the quality of their sleep and how they feel each morning when they awake.
Sleep expert and CEO of BiOptimizers, Matt Gallant, says around seven hours of sleep is likely sufficient for most adults, but there’s more to it than a simple number.
“The problem is that even though we may sleep for seven at night, what really matters is the quality of sleep you’re getting. If you’re waking up frequently at night (and you might not realise it), then you’re probably missing out on critical deep sleep and REM sleep,” said Gallant, per HuffPost.
Psychologist Leah Kaylor adds that most adults will thrive on between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, with the optimal number varying from person to person. Not only that, Kaylor explained that the amount of sleep we require shifts as we age and experience different stages of life.
Typically, women require more sleep than men. Young people, older people, pregnant or menopausal women, and individuals with certain health conditions may all have above-average sleep needs.
Gallant noted that it is more important to gauge how you feel when you wake up.
“You know you’re getting enough sleep if you wake up without an alarm clock, feel alert and refreshed when you wake up, and if your energy is consistent throughout the day,” said Gallant.
Dr. Kaylor says a vacation can be an ideal time to assess one’s sleep needs.
“When you have the luxury of taking a vacation that isn’t jam-packed with activities, you can really tune into your body. Without the pressure of an alarm clock, you can let your body fall asleep when it feels right and wake up naturally,” she said.