Personally, my “need” for sleep has changed dramatically over the years. When I was a medical intern in the Navy, I would be awake for almost 36 hours straight while on call at the hospital and then do pretty well on 6 hours of sleep the next 3 nights until the next on call sleepless 36. Now at age 69, if I tried to do something like this, I would probably be incapacitated.
Our “need” for sleep does vary not just based on our ages, but also other issues including:
· Genetics: Your genes play a role in how much sleep you naturally need and your preferred sleep times.
· Light Exposure: Light is the most powerful cue for your circadian rhythm; lack of it or disrupted exposure (like from night shifts) confuses your internal clock.
· Lifestyle & Activity: High physical or mental exertion, stress, diet, and even inconsistent eating patterns can increase sleep needs.
· Health Status: Illnesses, medications, or mental health issues can heighten your demand for restorative sleep.
The “Optimal” amount of sleep is age-dependent but as mentioned above, there are many variations individually. The CDC recommends:
- Adults (18-64): 7-9 hours
- Older Adults (65+): 7-8 hours
- Teens (13-18): 8-10 hours
- School Age (6-12): 9-12 hours
- Preschool (3-5): 10-13 hour
If you feel well with good energy during the day, then you are probably getting the right amount of sleep for “you”. However, if daytime fatigue is present, you nod off watching the early evening shows and/or you find yourself a nap during the day then your sleep pattern should be discussed with your doctor (or AI physician if real doctors do not exist in the future.)
How about a Daydream Believer…remember Davy Jones and The Monkees?
