Some people need eight hours of sleep… but some need more and some need less. Are you getting enough? How many hours do you need?

This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) acknowledges that needs vary from person to person. That said, they also recommend specific lengths of shut-eye for different age groups. A newborn requires more hours than a teenager- despite how often one sleeps through the night (and morning) while the other barely sleeps at all.

So How Much Sleep Do I Need?

It turns out as you get older, you start needing less and less sleep.

• Newborns (0-3 months) need 14 to 17 hours
• Infants (4-11 months) 12 to 15 hours
• Toddlers (1 & 2 years old) require 11 to 14 hours
• Preschoolers (3-5 years old) need 10 to 13 hours
• Kids (6-13 years old) should get 9 to 11 hours
• Teens (14-17 years old) are recommended to get 8 to 10 hours

Both young adults and adults (ages 18 to 64) are only recommended to have 7 to 9 hours of slumber while older adults (+65) need just 7 or 8 hours.

The CDC guidelines fall very closely in line with the NSF. Knowing what amount of sleep works best for you is key to waking up refreshed and rejuvenated. Take into account your health, activity level, and sleep cycles.

For more information on sleep and sleep health, visit the National Sleep Foundation at https://www.thensf.org. You can also visit www.tchdnow.org or find them on Facebook for more information about the Tuscarawas County Health Department and their services.

Audrey Mattevi
Reporting