How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?

The amount of sleep you need depends on various

factors — especially your age. Consider these

general guidelines for different age groups:

In addition to age, other factors can affect how

many hours of sleep you need. For example: Pregnancy. Changes in a woman's body during early pregnancy can increase the need for

sleep. Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get

older, however, your sleeping patterns might

change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly

and for shorter time spans than do younger

adults. This might create a need for spending

more time in bed to get enough sleep, or a tendency toward daytime napping. Previous sleep deprivation. If you're sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need

increases. Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you're not getting

quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just

as important as the quantity. Although some people claim to feel rested on just a

few hours of sleep a night, research shows that

people who sleep so little over many nights don't

perform as well on complex mental tasks as do

people who get closer to seven hours of sleep a

night. Studies among adults also show that getting less or much more than seven hours of sleep a

night is associated with a higher mortality rate. If you experience frequent daytime sleepiness,

even after increasing the amount of quality sleep

you get, consult your doctor. He or she might be

able to identify any underlying causes — and help

you get a better night's sleep.