Sleep needs vary from person to person, but generally fall between 7 and 9 hours per night. Sleep patterns change throughout our lives:
Age |
Normal sleep range |
Newborns |
16 – 18 hours a day |
Preschoolers |
10 - 12 hours a day |
School-age Children |
At least 9 hours a night |
Teenagers |
Should have 9 hours, but hormonal influences of puberty lead adolescents to stay up later at night and want to sleep later in the morning so they often get only 7 – 7.5 hours of sleep a night |
Adults |
7 – 9 hours a night |
Seniors |
7 – 9 hours a night, but shifting biological rhythms may lead to earlier bedtimes at night and earlier wakeup times in the morning |
What Leads to Occasional Sleeplessness?
Many factors can contribute to a poor night’s sleep – stress, a change in your work schedule, drinking too much caffeine, and aches and pain can all cause occasional sleeplessness. Women in particular find that pain conditions like tension headaches, arthritis and heartburn can interrupt their sleep.
Certain prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines also can interfere with your sleep. These include decongestants, steroids, certain blood pressure medicines, and pain relievers that contain caffeine. Be sure to read and follow all medicine labels carefully. If you find that your medicine is keeping you up, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about potential alternatives.
Lifestyle factors can keep you from getting enough sleep, as well. Exercising late in the evening can make it harder to fall asleep, but exercise earlier in the day can help improve nighttime sleep. If you over schedule your day you won’t have time to wind down and relax before bedtime – something that many people find is important for getting a good night’s sleep.
