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How many hours should we sleep - nutrition
The hours of sleep required for optimal functioning of the human body vary considerably with age. As we age, we tend to need fewer hours of sleep, although certain factors can affect both the quality and duration of rest. These factors include the consumption of energy drinks, poor eating habits, night work, excessive use of screens and stress, among others.
It is essential to ensure that we comply with the minimum recommended hours of sleep to maintain good health. To this end, it is important to know the suggested rest times for each stage of life. Throughout this guide, we will go deeper into these points so that you can gain a better understanding of the sleep process and its particularities.
Keep in mind that the times recommended here are general guidelines based on medical studies, but each person has unique needs. Therefore, if in doubt, it is best to consult a health professional.
For infants under one year of age, an average of 12 hours of sleep per day is recommended. The younger they are, the greater their need for rest, although this should not exceed 17 hours to ensure proper activity during waking hours.
Children between 1 and 2 years old should sleep at least 9 hours a night. Although they can sleep 10 to 11 hours without problems, they should not sleep more than 15 hours to ensure that they are active during the day and maintain a good nighttime sleep cycle.
For children between the ages of 3 and 13, the average recommended sleep is 9 hours a day. From the age of 6, some may sleep 8 hours, but it is important that they do not sleep less than 7 hours, as this could affect their health. Let's remember that growth hormone plays a key role at this stage, and its production is linked to a good rest.
It is also important that they do not exceed 12 hours of sleep, since as they grow, their body requires more physical activity and less hours of rest.
Adolescents can stay healthy by getting an average of 8 hours of sleep per night. In some cases, it is possible to extend this time to 9 or even 10 hours, if needed.
For adults, the minimum recommended hours of sleep is 7 hours per day. Many health professionals advise that, if possible, they should try to reach 8 hours, especially in younger people.
In the elderly, it is common for sleep-related problems to arise, which can make it difficult to reach the required 7 hours. If this is your case, it is advisable to see a specialist to evaluate your situation and consider options to help you improve your rest.
