Adult nap time: recommendations from an expert
During sleep, our body and brain are in sleep mode. It is therefore very important to sleep well and enough! Here is the number of hours of sleep that you must respect
Sleep is the cornerstone of our health. It allows the body and the brain to recover energy. Gold, sleep quality and duration has been declining for several years. Of the surveys of the Public Health France Barometer on sleep showed that, on average, the total sleep time of an adult during the week was 6h42 per 24 hours in 2017, i.e. less than the minimum 7 hours daily usually recommended for good recovery .
This is explained by the democratization of night work, the daily use of screens (television, smartphone, tablet, etc.) as well as sound and light pollution. Lack of sleep has harmful consequences on our health: stress, dementiacancer, cardiovascular illnesses and metabolic, etc.
Sleep: How long do you need to sleep to be healthy?
In the columns from the British magazine The Sun, Lindsay Browning, psychologist and neuroscientist, gave the exact amount of sleep our body needs according to our age. The doctor indicated that it takes 7 to 9 hours of sleep for people aged 50 and over. “As we get older, the amount of sleep we need is similar to that of a young adult”notes the expert.
She then adds: “As early as 50, sleep is important because aging can lead to health issues, many of which can affect sleep patterns and vice versa. Illnesses that are commonly linked to sleep disturbances in older adults include depression, anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes. Conditions that cause discomfort and pain, such as arthritis or back pain, can make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult.”
Sleep: how many hours should you sleep according to your age?
Teenagers should sleep at least 8 to 10 hours a day. “Teens often get far less sleep than they need, this may be due to having too many distractions such as tablets or TVs, overloaded daily routines and sometimes little supervision”, recalls the doctor. However, it is essential that they get enough sleep because “their circadian rhythm begins to change, making them more likely to experience sleep loss”.
“This change causes them to produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) later than in young children and adults. This is why teenagers can be perceived as ‘lazy’ when they sleep until noon”, emphasizes Dr. Browning. As for young adults, they need 7 to 9 hours of sleep because the brain is developing again until the age of about 25.
As soon as you reach your thirties, this range is revised downwards with a need for sleep of between 7 and 9 hours. “By the time you hit your thirties, your brain is fully developed, which means it needs a little less rest than before. This time in our lives is usually when the stress of work, finances, and raising a family starts to kick in.”says the psychologist.
Health problems that can affect sleep
Finally, at age 40, a night of 7 to 9 hours is recommended. “More than 10 hours is often considered excessive sleep and less than 6 is insufficient”says Dr. Browning. “There are many other factors that can affect sleep for example pre-menopause for women and the midlife crisis. For men, testosterone is reduced, which can negatively impact the quality of their sleep”she finally concludes.
