Sleep Foundation Updates Recommendations

The National Sleep Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary by updating the recommendations on how much sleep we need per night, based on age.

The recommendation for the vast majority of adults (ages 26-64) hasn't changed, with 7-9 hours recommended, while anywhere between 6 and 10 hours 'may be appropriate.'

Now in their own category, older adults (65+) are recommended to sleep 7-8 hours, with 5-9 being an acceptable range.

Young adults (18-25) now also get their own category, with 7-9 hours recommended and 6-11 hours accepted.

See the full chart of healthy recommendations HERE.

Seeing as I have no children to take care of, and I don't have to work until fairly late in the morning, I am completely spoiled and have no problem getting 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Duzzy, on the other hand, winds up getting about 5-6 and is always tired...and there are plenty of folks who get only 4-5 hours a night!

It does seem that it's not realistic for the average working parent to get that much sleep...there just aren't enough hours in the day!

They add that 'it's important to pay attention to your own individual needs by assessing how you feel on different amounts of sleep' but that it's important to make sleep a priority in your life.

They offer tips on getting better sleep, including:

• getting daily exercise
• turning off electronics before bed
• avoiding naps
• sticking to regular bedtimes, even on weekends.

Get more sleep tips at sleepfoundation.org!