Looking at the quality and quantity of our sleep can tell us a great deal about our health and well-being. We all know that getting enough sleep is important, but how much is considered enough? While there are basic guidelines to follow, it should be noted that the amount of sleep required varies from person to person and depends on a variety of factors. If you’re not getting the right amount of sleep for you, it may be time to visit the sleep specialists at Jacksonville Sleep Center.

Here are the general sleep guidelines based on age. You can also download a more detailed chart from the National Sleep Foundation here.

Age Range            Suggested Hours of Sleep

Newborns                    14 to 17 hours a day

12 months                   10 hours at night, with 4 hours of naps

2 years                        11 to 12 hours at night, with a 1- to 2-hour afternoon nap

3 to 5 years                 10 to 13 hours

6 to 13 years               9 to 11 hours

14 to 17 years             8 to 10 hours

Adults                          7 to 9 hours

If you’re logging the hours listed above, you should typically feel well rested and refreshed upon waking each morning. If, however, you wake up feeling groggy and struggling with daytime sleepiness, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to consult with your physician or with a Jacksonville sleep specialist.

When struggling with sleep issues, start by assessing your lifestyle and sleep habits. It’s especially important to consider key factors such as diet, pregnancy, aging, activities and frequent travel that could be causing you to require more sleep to feel rested. Do you have any underlying health problems or are you overweight? These are other factors that may be affecting your sleep.

Getting the right amount of sleep is vital to our overall health. Too little sleep can leave you feeling tired, depressed, anxious and having difficulty concentrating. If the situation is left untreated, it can eventually lead to diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. You can also experience the same problems if you’re getting too much sleep. A Jacksonville sleep specialist can help you determine if you’re getting the right amount of sleep.

Are you suffering from lack of sleep or a sleep disorder? If you’re dealing with symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, needing to nap regularly, excessive hunger, trouble with memory, compromised motor skills and moodiness, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Talk to your doctor about your concerns, and consider visiting a Jacksonville sleep specialist. They will evaluate your symptoms and sleep habits and may suggest a sleep study to get to the root of the problem.

For more information on getting a healthy amount of sleep, contact the sleep specialists at Jacksonville Sleep Center. Dr. Nassar and his team can help get you on your way to your best sleep ever.

 

Sources
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