How many hours of sleep needed for good health?

Sleep makes you feel better. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Sleep deprivation takes a toll on your mind, body, and overall health in ways that may surprise you.

The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors — especially your age. Consider these general guidelines for different age groups:

      Age group                Recommended amount of sleep

    Infants                             14 to 15 hours        Toddlers                          12 to 14 hours     School-age children         10 to 11 hours     Adults                            7 to 9 hours

In addition to age, other factors may affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example, changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy can increase the need for sleep. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns may change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly and awaken more frequently during the night than do younger adults.

This may create a need for or tendency toward daytime napping. If you’re sleep-deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you’re not getting quality sleep — and the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.

Research shows that chronic lack of sleep is linked to colds and flu, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, and even obesity. So it’s natural to ask: Does getting adequate sleep protect you from illness? The answer: It helps.