Sleep Health

Sleep Health

Why is sleep health important? 

Sleep is a basic requirement for human development, health and well-being, just like nutrition and physical activity. After all, on average, we spend a third of our life sleeping! Research shows that not getting enough sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and depression. It can lead to motor vehicle crashes and mistakes at work, which cause injury and disability. Sleep is vital for quality of life, affecting our physical health, mental health and safety.    

What is the recommended amount of sleep per day? 

It depends on age. About 1 in 3 adults — and even more adolescents — don’t get enough sleep. See the table below for recommended hours of sleep per day by age group.  

While the amount of sleep you get per day is important, it’s also essential to get good quality sleep. Signs of poor sleep include not feeling rested even after enough sleep, repeatedly waking up during the night and experiencing sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea. Learn more about sleep disorders here. If you’re experiencing sleep problems, talk to your healthcare provider.  

Tips for Better Sleep:

Interested in sleep hygiene specifically for children?  

Parents’ Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy and Resilient Children, presented in partnership with South Bay Mommies and Daddies, is a five-part video series designed for parents of children ages 0-6. Topics range from Mindful Parenting, Establishing Healthy Sleeping Habits, Early Childhood Nutrition and Creating Structure & Fostering Responsibility. Each session features subject-matter experts to approach each topic in an easy-to-digest manner for parents of young children. Watch the video here on “The Importance of Good Sleep Hygiene for Children.” 

Information sourced from: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sleep and Sleep Disorders 
NIH, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency 

Learn the facts and find resources to get help.