National Sleep Foundation Guidelines: How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
How Much Sleep Do You Actually Need Based on Your Age?
Sleep needs vary dramatically by age, with the National Sleep Foundation’s evidence-based guidelines recommending 14-17 hours for newborns, 9-11 hours for school-age children, 8-10 hours for teenagers, 7-9 hours for adults, and 7-8 hours for older adults. These recommendations are based on comprehensive analysis of scientific literature examining the relationship between sleep duration and health outcomes across different life stages. The guidelines recognize that individual variation exists within each age group, but provide evidence-based targets for optimal health and performance.