Is 6 Hours of Sleep Enough

Good sleep in the night hours has been pronounced the most crucial thing you need for your mental and physical well-being. But how much sleep do you actually need to stay ahead in your day-to-day routine?

Is 6 hours of sleep enough to keep your mind sharp and body active for the rest of the day?

As per a CNBC report, researchers from Fitbit, a smartwatch brand, used sleep data and compared them through users’ scores on Think Fast (an app integrated into the smartwatches). The results reflected that people who sleep an average of around 6 hours per night perform better than those who sleep more or less.

This finding goes totally against what doctors all over the world say. Public physicians and health officials typically recommend around 8 hours of sleep for long-term mental and physical health.

This article explores these contrary findings to understand whether 6 hours of sleep is enough for a healthy life in the long run. Moreover, the post explores the ideal sleep duration for people from different walks of life and age groups. Let’s first explore Fitbit’s research findings.

FITBIT Research findings

Here are the key takeaways from the data Fitbit collected from over 3 billion nights of recorded sleep for their research.

  • The number of sleep hours can vary from person to person based on factors like gender and age.
  • Women require about half an hour more sleep than men.
  • Reduced sleep duration at night improves cognitive function by 10% in males and females over 40.
  • No relationship was found between cognitive function and the quantity of deep sleep or nighttime disruptions in individuals aged 20 to 40.

The main finding shows that if individuals can maintain the quality of their sleep as they age, they could potentially reduce the deterioration process. However, our original question remains: Is 5 to 6 hours of sleep enough for mental and physical health?

Medical Research FAQ’s

Is 6 hours of sleep enough for people of all ages?

Sleep timing and pattern change with a person’s age. Usually, infants and children sleep for a lot more hours than adults.

Following are the sleeping hours recommended by the National Sleep Foundation regarding sleep needs per age range.

up to 3 months baby sleep needed
up to 3 months baby sleep needed.
  • Up to 3 months- 14 to 17 hrs
  • 4 to 11 months- 12 to 15 hrs
  • 1 to 2 years- 11 to 14 hrs
  • 3 to 5 years- 10 to 13 hrs
  • 6 to 13 years- 9 to 11 hrs
  • 14 to 17 years- 8 to 10 hrs
  • 18 to 25 years- 7 to 9 hrs
  • 26 to 64 years- 7 to 9 hrs.
  • 65 years or older- 7 to 9 hrs.

What happens when you don’t sleep for the recommended hours for a long time?

If you only receive six hours of sleep per night, you are likely sleep deprived, which might cause the following symptoms:

  • Having trouble leaving the bed in the morning.
  • In the afternoon, you may feel drowsy or sluggish.
  • Snoozing in the middle of your daily routine.
  • The frequent bouts of sleep on weekends.

Sleep deprivation elevates your risk of developing health problems such as:

What Happened when you don't get enough sleep
What Happened when you don’t get enough sleep?
  1. Obesity
  2. Heart disease
  3. Hypertension
  4. Diabetes
  5. Anxiety
  6. Depression
  7. Insomnia

What happens when you sleep for the recommended hours for a long time?

7 to 8 hours of quality sleep allows you to spend enough time in each stage of the sleep cycle.

Deep sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep are the two most critical stages of the sleep cycle. Deep sleep is when the body stores energy so you can use it in the daytime. REM sleep is when memory is enhanced.

When you get adequate sleep, your body obtains various advantages, including:

  • Enhanced focus and sharper memory
  • A healthy heart
  • Mood-boosting effect
  • Enhanced immune system
  • A boost of energy

How can you enjoy a decent sleep at night?

It might be difficult for some people to enjoy a decent sleep at night. If you have trouble falling asleep regularly, here are a few suggestions:

  • One hour before bedtime, avoid using technologies that produce blue light, like TVs and smartphones. Digital screens might disrupt your sleep ability.
  • Eat your dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Eating late at night might stimulate the digestive system, causing you to stay awake.
  • Many people consume caffeine a few hours before sleeping. Because caffeine keeps you awake for several hours. Therefore, drinking coffee and other stimulants within a few hours before bedtime can make it difficult for a person to sleep.
  • Avoid taking many naps: While it is OK to nap for 30 minutes to an hour in the afternoon, frequent naps disrupt natural sleeping habits.
  • Before going to bed, try to keep relaxed and calm by thinking about what happened during the day and jotting it down on paper to release anxiety and stress before rest. This can keep worries from disrupting your sleep schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions?

1. Is 6 hours of sleep enough for a teenager?

According to sleep research, individuals in their teens need between eight and ten hours of sleep per night.

2. Is 6 hours of sleep enough for a student?

Sleep Health Foundation recommends that young individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, college students, should obtain 7-9 hours of sleep per night. It indicates that sleeping fewer than 6 or more than 11 hours is unhealthy for their cognitive performance.

3. Is 6 hours of sleep enough to build muscle?

5 to 6 hours of sleep per night is sufficient for muscle gain. However, it is not optimal. More than 7 hours of Sleep is ideal for muscle recovery, development, and overall health. Inadequate sleep can negatively impact hormones, energy, and general performance, potentially reducing muscle-building progress.

Leave a Comment