How many hours does a specialist recommend you sleep per day, depending on your age and gender?

We often hear that to live a healthy life, you need to sleep eight hours a night. But did you know that this duration can vary depending on the gender and age of each person? Discover more!

Sleep is extremely important for the optimal functioning of our body. Scientific research has shown that adequate sleep allows the body to recover from stress, strengthens memory, regulates mood, strengthens the immune system and prevents obesity. To reap all these benefits, it's important to consider your sleep duration, which can vary depending on gender and age. For example, did you know that women need 20 minutes more sleep than men? This is because their progesterone levels can affect their sleep quality.

How long should you sleep depending on your age

The need for rest changes with age. After puberty, circadian rhythms change, meaning teens want to go to bed later and wake up the same, says sleep specialist Dr. Peter Polos, who recommends sleeping eight to 10 hours a night and sticking to a rest schedule.

For adults, the doctor recommends that they sleep 7 to 8 hours a night. They are not discouraged if they can sleep even more, but less than 6 hours a night can lead to several consequences such as: sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, depression, anxiety, insomnia and restless leg syndrome, also called Willis disease. Ekbom, writes Tech Radar.

Research shows that older people cannot rest as well as younger people. This can be caused by taking certain medications that prevent them from getting enough rest, and by consuming stimulants such as caffeine. The doctor recommends that older people sleep 7-8 hours a day and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time. The specialist also says that napping during the day also benefits the body.