Infographic | Why You Need More Sleep

Investing the appropriate amount of time into sleep is a key principle for attaining optimum health. Everyone is guilty of giving up some quality sleep time for something else, oftentimes attempting to ‘make it up’ later on. While you can’t perfect your sleep schedule 100% of the time, getting sufficient sleep most of the time could be the solution to a number of troubles you currently face.

Why You Need More Sleep

Although many of us do make a real attempt to go to sleep early and put in a healthy amount of time, all too often people are spend much of their time in bed not sleeping. With 60 percent of adults not getting enough sleep, the average American spends 7.5 hours in bed while only sleeping for 6.1 of those hours. Unfortunately, to solve sleeping issues many individuals turn to sleeping medication, but this ‘solution’ completely ignores the underlying problem while also leading to an increased risk of cancer and premature death.

The amount of hours to constitute sufficient sleep varies based on age.

• Infants generally need 14-15 hours per day/night
• Toddlers generally need 12-14 hours per day/night
• Children generally need 10-11 hours per night.
• Adults generally need 7-9 hours per night.

It is important to recognize that lack of sleep can result both in health decline and work decline – ultimately putting a significant damper on your day. Sufficient sleep has been shown to be essential for academic success in children, while a lack of sleep could be contributing to excess weight. In fact, sleeping only six hours a night increases the risk of being overweight by 27 percent and may lead to an extra 14 pounds a year. Additionally, those who sleep less than 6 hours increase their chance of heart disease by 48 percent, while women who sleep less than 6 hours increase their breast cancer risk by 62 percent. All the while, the quality of your work and day in general dwindles.

With alertness being impaired by 32 percent for every 1.5 hours reduction in sleep, it is no wonder more mistakes are made in the work place and on the road. Sleepless drivers help to make up 20 percent of motor vehicle accidents, while sleepless doctors have twice the amount of surgery complications between procedures.

Fortunately, a 20 minute nap can lighten your day, boosting cognitive functionality by 40 percent. Taking a nap 8 hours after waking up boosts stamina more than sleeping an extra 20 minutes in the morning, and is more effective than 200mg of caffeine.