Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Maria Gonzalez

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Formula

Recommended hours based on age group (National Sleep Foundation);
Bedtime = Wake Time - Recommended Hours

Sleep needs vary significantly by age. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours for adults, 8-10 for teens, and 9-12 for school-age children. Quality matters as much as quantity.

Each sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes light sleep, deep sleep, and REM stages. Adults typically need 5-6 complete cycles per night for optimal rest and recovery.

Common use cases:

  • Establishing healthy sleep schedules
  • Age-appropriate sleep recommendations
  • Improving sleep quality and duration

Frequently Asked Questions

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Maria Gonzalez

Registered Dietitian, RD, MPH

Maria is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Public Health. She focuses on evidence-based nutrition assessment tools including BMI, calorie calculations, and body composition analysis.

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