How much should you sleep?

There is no definitive answer to this question - the need for sleep is very individual. In practice, this means that some people need to sleep eight hours to properly regenerate, while for others, five is enough. If you feel good, it means only one thing - the solution you have chosen works for you. At the same time, however, sleep experts have prepared specific recommendations for individual age groups. According to them, newborns and infants up to three months of age should sleep from 14 to 17 hours a day, infants up to 12 months - 12-15, children up to two years of age - 11-14, preschoolers - 10-13, school children - 9-11, and teenagers - 8-10. For young adults, i.e. people up to 25 years of age, the appropriate amount of sleep ranges between 7 and 9 hours a day - the same as for adults. In the case of seniors, this time should be from 7 to 8 hours.

What are the dangers of sleep deprivation?

Unfortunately, not everyone sleeps well and long enough, and a conscious resignation from sleep is considered to be "nothing serious". Unfortunately, this is not true. Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. The most frequently mentioned include: irritability, fatigue, and later - hallucinations, behavioural disorders and anxiety, an increased risk of developing depression, as well as the possibility of becoming addicted to alcohol or sleeping pills. By knowing how much you should sleep, you will reduce the risk of health complications and enjoy a great feeling of well-being! But before you get a good night's sleep, check what may be the cause of your previous problems. You can get rid of some of them right away!

What are the causes of sleep problems?

The causes of sleep problems, contrary to popular belief, are not always complicated. The most frequently mentioned include: strong emotions, both positive and negative, electronic equipment being on, a partner's snoring, illnesses (including hyperthyroidism, depression or anxiety), shift work, travel across different time zones, and noisy neighbours and the menopause. What can you do to deal with these inconveniences? Be sure to check what changes you can make before reaching for sleeping pills!

Before you reach for sleeping pills, i.e. what to do to sleep well

Sleeping pills are a last resort - and that's how you should treat them. They are often addictive and do not get rid of the root cause of the problem. Do you know how much you should sleep? Be sure to check out what to do to sleep well!

- Make sure the atmosphere in the bedroom is appropriate. Turn off electronic equipment well in advance or get rid of it from the bedroom (if there is any in the room), open the window and air the room;

- Two hours before going to bed, make sure you are as quiet as possible. Turn off the TV, put your smartphone down and have a relaxing bath. Instead of a film before bed, it's definitely better to read a book!

- Be sure to get a comfortable bed! The mattress should be medium-firm, and the furniture itself should be big enough. It is also worth paying attention to the individual elements of the furniture - an unusually high mattress (especially in continental beds) or an upholstered headboard will definitely improve the quality of your sleep;

- Remember that a heavy dinner is not a good solution - even when you are really hungry. It is worth choosing a light meal and enjoying a peaceful sleep - without the accompanying feeling of discomfort;

Knowing how much you should sleep and knowing the most common causes of insomnia, you can prevent them. However, if nothing works, you should contact a doctor. Maybe the cause is health problems?