Some people complain that they are tired after ten hours of sleep, while others seem to manage fine every day after just five hours. So what causes this difference in sleep patterns and quantity, and how do you know how much sleep you need? The amount of sleep you need depends on several factors, so we’ll consider some of the most common in order to help you work out how much sleep you really need.
Your age
This is one of the main factors influencing how much sleep you need. Children and young adults tend to need a lot more sleep than adults and older people. School children often need as much as 12 hours of sleep, with young children needing as much as 14 hours per night. You may have found that you need less sleep as you get older.
Your health
If you’re suffering from ill health, you may feel that you want to spend extra time in bed. This is normal, and in many cases your body needs extra rest in order to recover. If you are experiencing short periods of illness, you should allow your body this extra sleep in order to get better. However, if you have a long-term health condition, you should speak to your doctor about how best to manage the amount of sleep you need, and also ensure any work you do is able to accommodate your extra sleep.
As well as physical health issues, mental health issues can also mean that you need extra sleep. Mental health conditions, such as long-term depression, can make people feel very tired and fatigued almost all of the time, which impacts the quality of sleep and the quantity needed.
Your work
Depending on the job you have, you may need to get a couple of extra hours sleep into your routine every night. These jobs are often physically tiring jobs such as a labourer or athlete; however, jobs which are mentally tiring can also mean you need some extra sleep. Getting into a good routine with your sleep pattern can make it easier to get the right amount of sleep that you need.
Ultimately, the amount of sleep that you need depends on many different factors, so each person should consider themselves and their own needs individually. Speak to your doctor if you are having long-term troubles with sleep or you feel that other factors are influencing your ability to sleep.
