Is Six Hours of Sleep Enough?
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
Approximately 36% of adults report sleeping fewer than seven hours per night, according to recent studies.
Between working, parenting, taking care of tasks and spending time doing the things we love, there seems to never be enough hours in the day. This is why we often skimp on some of that time we’re supposed to spend sleeping.
The consensus from experts is that seven to eight hours of sleep is necessary for every adult. But how healthy or unhealthy is it to consistently sleep six hours a night?
Why is seven to eight hours the recommended amount of sleep?
Not only is seven or more hours of sleep recommended by most experts, seven to eight hours of good-quality sleep is recommended. Quality sleep is vital for physical and mental clarity, immune system function, appetite regulation and cell and tissue repair.
Getting enough sleep has a host of benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It can help you:
- Avoid serious health problems.
- Become sick less often.
- Make better connections with people.
- Make good decisions and avoid injuries — for example, drowsy drivers cause thousands of car accidents every year.
- Reduce stress and improve your mood.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Think more clearly and perform better at work or school.
Sleeping seven to eight hours a night on a regular sleep schedule is also key. Your body’s internal clock is set based on the pattern of daylight where you live, allowing you to become naturally sleepier when the sun goes down and more alert when it’s up during the day.
What happens if you don’t get enough sleep?
Insufficient sleep or sleep deprivation can lead to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Short-term effects of sleep loss include:
- Behavioral changes
- Daytime drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impaired decision-making
- Increased likelihood of accidents and errors
- Lack of creativity
- Memory problems
- Reduced energy
- Reduced motivation
- Reduced productivity
Physically, insufficient sleep can cause poor coordination and slower reaction times for athletes, or anyone trying to exercise productively and get a lot out of their workout.
Sleep deprivation’s long-term impact on the body and mind can be wide reaching. Research states that chronic sleep loss can lead to serious health risks like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Some individuals may experience sleep loss symptoms without realizing that a shortage of sleep is causing them.
Reasons for sleep deprivation and difficulty sleeping can vary. They may be caused by internal or external factors, such as:
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Caffeine
- Caring for young children or elderly parents
- Certain medications that disrupt sleep
- Health conditions like heartburn or asthma
- Job demands.
- Untreated sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea
- Working long hours
Is six hours enough sleep?
Everyone is different, so some people may function better on short sleep than others. Studies have found that a small percentage of individuals’ sleep needs fall outside the recommended allotment of sleep for adults, which is sometimes rooted in a person’s genetics.
Those cases, however, are outliers. Experts agree that consistently sleeping for only six hours a night can lead to the short- and long-term consequences listed above and negatively impact a person’s quality of life.
If you try to surpass the six-hour sleep threshold each night but struggle to do so, be intentional about practicing good sleep habits, including:
- Avoiding screen time 1 to 2 hours before bed.
- Avoiding alcohol and caffeine several hours before bed.
- Getting regular exercise during the day to regulate energy levels.
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time each night, even on weekends.
- Making sure your bedroom is at an optimal temperature and is free of light and noise.
If your sleep problems persist even after trying these tips, reach out to your primary care provider about the issue. Together, you can take the appropriate steps to figure out the problem and develop a treatment plan.
Read on:
- 5 Ways to Improve Your Social Wellness
- Is Mouth Taping for Sleep Helpful or Harmful?
- 5 Ways to Create a Healthier Relationship with Your Phone
Photo credit: Getty Images
