To Sleep Or Not To Sleep? The Necessary 8-Hour Regime

 


“Work eight hours and sleep eight hours, and make sure that they are not the same eight hours” a quote by T. Boone Pickens regarding the necessity of an eight-hour work-sleep balance. But is eight hours of sleep really necessary? In short, there isn’t a one-answer-fits-all response as to whether everybody requires eight hours of sleep to go over their day-to-day activities. Moreover, each body is different, requiring a different amount of sleep in order to function. 


Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep yet in today’s fast-paced society, the average adult sleeps for less than 7 hours per night. Although this may not seem to make a difference at the time, losing even one hour of sleep results in a lower ability to think and respond quickly. Lack of an adequate amount of sleep, in the long run, results in an increased risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues. 


People may believe that their body gets used to less sleep, however, it simply grows accustomed to the symptoms of sleep deprivation. When sleeping, the body goes through a series of restorative processes, including tissue repair and restorative processes, integral in ensuring overall health and well-being. 


Nonetheless, even with eight hours of sleep, a person may feel groggy and unrefreshed if the quality of their sleep is poor. Sleep quality can be affected by sleep disruptions, sleep disorders, poor sleep environment, and lifestyle habits. 


On the other hand, sleeping over 9 hours also results in adverse effects on our health, leading to a 70% more calcium buildup in the arteries which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.


Therefore there are many factors that determine the adequate amount of sleep required for each individual, however, The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults aged 18-64,  7-9 hours of sleep per night, while older adults (65+) may need slightly less, around 7-8 hours. Individual factors including age, lifestyle, health, and genetics can all influence the amount of sleep a person requires and play an important role in their mental and physical well-being.















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