Getting enough sleep is vital to making sure that the body has plenty of energy the next day. However, adults often get much less for one reason or another, whether it’s because of the demand to work longer hours, take care of their family’s needs, or even just because they stay up a little later to watch a TV show. However, not getting enough sleep can actually be a health risk.
The Risks of Not Getting Enough Sleep
Numerous studies have shown that getting enough sleep on a regular basis is important to one’s health. A lack of sleep can lead to an increased risk for obesity, high blood pressure, poor mental health, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even an earlier death.
There’s also the short-term effects caused by a lack of sleep. People are more likely to be in a bad mood and to be unproductive the next day without a good night’s sleep. How much sleep a person needs, however, depends on their age.
According to the Sleep Research Society and The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the following is roughly the amount of sleep a person should get depending on their age:
Adults between 18 and 60 should get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
Teens between 13 and 18 should get between eight and ten hours of sleep a night.
Children between six and 12 should get between nine and 12 hours of sleep a night.
Preschool children between three and five should get between 10 and 13 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
Toddlers between one and two should get 11 to 14 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
Infants between four and 12 months should get between 12 and 16 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
In addition to getting enough sleep, people should focus on getting good quality sleep. Certain sleep disorders can cause poor sleep, even for those who are sleeping long enough. For more health-related advice and information, be sure to keep up with The Benefits Store today.
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