The Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Age

Is Age a Major Factor in Determining How Long You Should Sleep Each Day?

An average person spends about one-third of their life sleeping, but some claim that they only need 4 hours of sleep each night. So, how many hours should different groups of people sleep each day? Is it beneficial to catch up on sleep?

Sleep Duration Changes with Age

The amount of sleep needed changes with age. Generally, primary school students should get around 10 hours of sleep each day, middle school students about 9 hours, and high school students around 8 hours.

For adults, it is recommended to sleep 6-8 hours a day. People over 60 should also sleep 6 hours a day to help reduce the risk of dementia.

Is 4 Hours of Sleep Per Day Enough?

Is it possible for someone to function well with just 4 hours of sleep each day? This is extremely rare and not a scientifically recommended sleep method, as it can harm overall health.

Is Catching Up on Sleep Effective?

Some people try to catch up on lost sleep. Is this effective? For occasional insomnia, catching up on sleep can help alleviate fatigue.

However, if poor sleep is a chronic issue, trying to catch up on sleep can be counterproductive and may worsen insomnia. If you experience insomnia 3 days or more a week for at least a month, it is important to seek medical help.