Young children—who are still growing and developing—need to go to bed early in order to get enough sleep each night, while adults may get away with cutting a few hours here and there. But there is a delicate balance between our daily functioning and the amount of sleep we get.
Periodically having a rough night's sleep is natural. However, if you find yourself exhausted throughout the daytime, it may indicate that you are not receiving enough sleep.
A healthy adult typically needs seven to nine hours of sleep, according to the NHS. The amount of sleep we require, however, varies depending on our age, health, and unique situation; also, some people sleep more than others by nature.
Due to their continued growth, babies, children, and teenagers all require more sleep, albeit this varies. A newborn can sleep for eight to sixteen hours at a time.
In general, individuals should strive to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. It is not an exact science, though, as sleep specialists acknowledge that each person is different and has different demands when it comes to sleep.
Your body's requirement for sleep and recuperation depends on several things, including your level of exercise and general health. Even if they are the same age, a person who does not put in as much energy will not require as much sleep as someone who is very physically active.
Try eight or nine hours if you find that seven just is not long enough. Even if forcing oneself out of bed is not pleasant, doing so frequently enough to counteract sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on your body's healing processes.
Conditions relating to the body and mind might exacerbate sleep deprivation. Chronic pain, obstructive sleep apnea, sadness, and anxiety are a few examples of this.
Prolonged sleep deprivation can have more detrimental effects on your health, such as lowered immunity, which can impair your body's ability to fight off diseases. You can also experience symptoms like elevated cortisol.
Increased appetite and cravings for sweets and carbohydrates can result in weight gain, as well as high blood pressure and other health issues.