We’ve all heard it: get your 8 hours. But where does that number come from, and is it right for you?
In 2015, two of the world’s leading sleep organizations, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, asked a panel of 15 experts to settle the question once and for all. They searched more than 5,000 published studies on sleep and health, then closely reviewed more than 300 of them.²
Their answer: adults aged 18 to 60 should get 7+ hours.¹
That “plus” matters.
The experts found that sleep needs vary from person to person, depending on things like genes, health and lifestyle.¹ So 7 hours is your starting point, not a finish line.
And getting less than that regularly isn’t just about feeling groggy. The panel linked it to:¹
- Weight gain, diabetes and high blood pressure
- Heart disease, stroke and depression
- A weaker immune system
- More mistakes and a higher risk of accidents
The good news?
This is one of the simplest health goals you can set for yourself. This is where Sleepwave comes in. You can now set your sleep goal starting at 7+ hours of actual sleep, not just time in bed. And if you think you need more, you can adjust your sleep goal to suit your body's needs.
References
- Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2015;11(6):591–592. doi:10.5664/jcsm.4758. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.4758
- Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society on the recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: methodology and discussion. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2015;11(8):931–952. doi:10.5664/jcsm.4950. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.4950
