Recommended Hours of Sleep by Age Older adults require seven to eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers less than seven hours per night to be short sleep. cdc.gov , which means for most people, six hours of sleep is not enough.
Is 6 Hours of Sleep Enough? Written by Jay Summer, Staff Writer Jay Summer Staff Writer Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy. Read Full Bio Want to read more about all our experts in the field? Learn About The Editorial Team Medically Reviewed by Dr. Abhinav Singh, Sleep Physician Dr. Abhinav Singh Sleep Physician Dr. Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders. Read Full Bio Want to read more about all our experts in the field? Learn About The Editorial Team Fact Checked Learn More Sleep Foundation Fact-Checking: Our Process At Sleep Foundation, we personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials. Guidelines for our testing methodology are as follows: We only cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles. These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners.
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With busy schedules and activities on offer around the clock, some people may wonder if they can get by on less sleep at night Trusted Source National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) NINDS aims to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. ninds.nih.gov . Approximately one-third of adults regularly sleep for six hours or less each night, and surveys suggest that short sleep may be growing more common Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. uptodate.com .
Despite these trends, the research mostly agrees that six hours of sleep is not enough for most adults. Experts recommend that most adults need at least seven hours of sleep every night.
We examine sleep needs for different age groups, discuss why it is important to obtain sufficient high-quality sleep, and provide tips on how to sleep better if you are struggling to meet sleep recommendations.
Recommended Hours of Sleep by Age
According to National Sleep Foundation guidelines, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov per 24-hour period. Teens need at least 8 to 10 hours, while children need more sleep of varying amounts that depend on their age. Older adults require seven to eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers less than seven hours per night to be short sleep Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. cdc.gov , which means for most people, six hours of sleep is not enough. Exact sleep needs may vary from person to person, although the majority of people are believed to require amounts of sleep that fall within the recommended ranges.
A small percentage of people have sleep needs that fall outside of the recommended number of hours for their age group. Although it is rare, some people seem to need fewer than six hours of sleep per night. Similarly, others may need more than nine hours.
Researchers believe there are genetic reasons that explain why some people are better able to handle short sleep. One way to gauge sleep needs is by observing when the body wakes up naturally, without an alarm clock. Also, if a person does not feel tired during the day, they may be obtaining enough sleep for their body.
Sleep Basics: Quality vs. Quantity
Sleep quantity refers to how many hours a person objectively spends asleep, while sleep quality refers to how deeply they are sleeping. Sleep quality and sleep quantity are both important.
A solid night’s sleep consists of several sleep stages, through which the sleeper cycles multiple times. Each stage plays a role in repairing cells and preparing the body and mind for the next day. In order to feel well-rested, a sleeper must spend enough time in each sleep stage and sleep soundly without waking up too many times. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can lead to reduced alertness, diminished daytime function, and health problems.
Someone with poor-quality sleep may spend a full eight hours asleep, but wake up feeling unrefreshed. Poor-quality sleep is often accompanied by frequent nighttime awakenings that the sleeper might not consciously notice. When poor sleep is caused by a sleep disorder, a bed partner may observe signs like snoring or gasping. Sleep disorders that interfere with sound sleep can cause performance deficits, mood changes, and daytime sleepiness similar to those experienced after short sleep.
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It can be fairly difficult for a sleeper to accurately gauge Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov their total sleep time. Some people significantly overestimate Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov or underestimate Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov sleep time, or fail to account Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov for time spent awake during the night. Likewise, people may not always be able to tell whether their sleep was high-quality or not.
A simple way to judge sleep quality is by monitoring how one feels the next day. People who sleep enough generally feel refreshed and alert. By contrast, people who do not sleep enough may feel drowsy during the day, especially during periods when they are less active.
Is It Normal to Have Daytime Sleepiness?
It is natural to feel sleepy at certain times of the day, such as during the so-called afternoon slump Trusted Source National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. nigms.nih.gov . Conversely, someone who is short on sleep may still feel relatively alert during certain times of day, depending on their own personal body clock. However, being excessively tired, waking up feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep, or experiencing trouble navigating a day of work or school are all signs that a person might be experiencing sleep deprivation.
Sleeping much more on days off is one sign that a person may not be sleeping enough during the work week. Also, people who are sleep-deprived often feel especially drowsy during monotonous activities, such as watching TV, attending a class or meeting, riding in a car, or sitting in traffic.
A very sleep-deprived person may experience microsleep, in which they fall asleep for just a few seconds at a time. It is possible to have a microsleep episode without realizing it, which can be very dangerous when driving or performing other activities that require attention. Experts warn that driving sleepy is equally as dangerous as driving drunk.
People may find it difficult to recognize when they are chronically short on sleep. Those who sleep six hours or less on a regular basis may feel or appear like they have adapted to less sleep. However, they often lapse in certain areas, such as attention, judgment skills, and reaction time. Someone who is short on sleep may also feel more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual.
Studies have found that sleep-deprived individuals may exhibit poorer test performance without even realizing they are not up to their usual standards. For those in professions that require concentration, such as medical staff, mistakes from not sleeping enough can pose a serious risk.
The Impact of Getting Only 6 Hours of Sleep
Although many people believe they can learn to live on fewer hours of sleep, research does not support this idea. Experts agree that sleeping less than the recommended amount can have consequences for a person’s health and well-being.
Quality sleep is critical for mental health and clarity, physical health, immune system functioning, appetite regulation, and cell and tissue repair. People may have symptoms of sleep loss without realizing these are due to short sleep.
Mental Consequences of Short Sleep
Some immediate effects of sleep loss include daytime drowsiness, lack of energy, and reduced motivation. Mental effects of sleep loss include trouble concentrating, as well as problems with memory, learning, creativity, and problem-solving. Short sleep can also cause impaired decision-making, increased risk-taking, and a higher chance of accidents and errors. Also, people who do not sleep enough may be less productive at work.
Poor Mood From Sleep Deprivation
In the short term, sleep deprivation can cause difficulty managing emotions and a tendency toward irritability and restlessness. If sleep deprivation continues, it may lay the groundwork for depression and other mental health issues.
Reduced Quality of Life Due to Not Sleeping Enough
In addition to being easily fatigued, people who fall short on sleep may also feel generally unwell. Also, short sleep can dampen a person’s sex drive and overall quality of life.
Impaired Physical Performance From Lack of Sleep
Athletes might notice they have poor coordination and slower reaction times when they are running short on sleep. When deprived of sleep, athletes have also been found to run more slowly Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , exhibit less strength, and perform worse when it comes to actions like serving a tennis ball or kicking a soccer ball. Athletes who are short on sleep may also feel less energetic and enthusiastic during physical activity and become confused more easily.
Long-Term Health Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to kidney disease and health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Consistently cutting sleep short can raise a person’s risk for heart health issues including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
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In children, sleep deprivation may look a little different than it does in adults. A child who fails to get enough sleep may act out and be hyperactive, or have trouble paying attention in school. Mood swings, angry outbursts, impulsivity, and sadness can also signal sleep loss in children. As with adults, not getting enough sleep can affect a child’s social interactions.
Why We Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
Many factors can make it difficult to obtain sufficient sleep, ranging from daily responsibilities to mental stressors to physical discomfort.
Work schedules : When work, school, commuting, or caregiving hours conflict with a person’s natural sleep-wake cycle, sleeping at times that are not concordant with normal sleep-wake times may lead to getting poor or not enough sleep.
: When work, school, commuting, or caregiving hours conflict with a person’s natural sleep-wake cycle, sleeping at times that are not concordant with normal sleep-wake times may lead to getting poor or not enough sleep. Social obligations : Familial and social obligations can take up time that might otherwise have been used for sleep, especially when these take place in the evening.
: Familial and social obligations can take up time that might otherwise have been used for sleep, especially when these take place in the evening. Substances : Alcohol, drugs, and wake-promoting medications can interfere with the body’s natural rhythms and make it more difficult to drift off to sleep.
: Alcohol, drugs, and wake-promoting medications can interfere with the body’s natural rhythms and make it more difficult to drift off to sleep. Sleep procrastination : It can be tempting to procrastinate on sleeping because it feels like a low priority in comparison to other activities, which may result in simply not having enough time to sleep the recommended amount.
: It can be tempting to procrastinate on sleeping because it feels like a low priority in comparison to other activities, which may result in simply not having enough time to sleep the recommended amount. Physical health conditions : Medical conditions and the medication used to treat them can sometimes affect the sleep-wake cycle. Discomfort from chronic pain and breathing issues can make sleep difficult. Menstrual cycle hormones and aging can also contribute to sleep problems.
: Medical conditions and the medication used to treat them can sometimes affect the sleep-wake cycle. Discomfort from chronic pain and breathing issues can make sleep difficult. Menstrual cycle hormones and aging can also contribute to sleep problems. Mental health : Anxiety and depression are known for their ability to interfere with sound sleep. Stress around the idea of not being able to fall asleep can exacerbate sleep issues.
: Anxiety and depression are known for their ability to interfere with sound sleep. Stress around the idea of not being able to fall asleep can exacerbate sleep issues. Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless legs syndrome can cause unrefreshing sleep.
How to Get Enough Sleep
To sleep better, try following sleep hygiene recommendations. For example, these healthy sleep habits may help:
Maintain a regular sleep schedule, including on weekends
Keep the bedroom environment cool, dark, and quiet
Have a bedtime routine with a wind-down period, including quiet activities like reading or taking a hot bath
Put down electronic devices at least half an hour before bedtime
Avoid clock-watching
Get out of bed if you cannot sleep and do a quiet activity in another room until you feel sleepy
Limit naps to less than 30 minutes and take them earlier in the day
Exercise regularly and spend time outside
Invest in a comfortable sleep setup, including pillows and mattress
Seek out bright light in the morning
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and rich meals close to bedtime
Researchers use the term “sleep debt” to describe the accumulated hours of sleep that a person has missed. Napping or sleeping in on the weekend are popular ways to cut down on sleep debt. You can also mitigate the effects of sleep loss by sleeping more the nights leading up to a night when you anticipate being unable to sleep enough.
However, these activities may interfere with natural sleep-wake rhythms, and they may not offer sufficient time to catch up on missed sleep. The best strategy is to keep a consistent sleep and wake times that allow for at least seven hours of sleep every night.
The optimal time to fall asleep after lights-out is 15 to 20 minutes. If you still have trouble sleeping despite following these tips, ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist can provide additional recommendations or help diagnose and treat an underlying sleep disorder.
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About Our Editorial Team Jay Summer Staff Writer Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy. Dr. Abhinav Singh Sleep Physician MD Dr. Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders.
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