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Sleep Well, Stay Well

Date: 09/24/25

A good night’s sleep does more than just help you feel rested, it’s essential for your overall health. From boosting your mood and focus, to lowering your risk of chronic health problems, quality sleep plays a role in how you feel each day.

The average adult needs 7 or more hours of sleep per night. But some factors may require you to need more sleep:

  1. Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you are not getting good sleep. Quality matters just as much as quantity.
  2. Sleep deprivation. If you haven’t slept, the amount of sleep you need increases.
  3. Pregnancy. Discomfort and hormone changes can disrupt your sleep.
  4. Your age. Older people need more sleep, similarly to young children. Your sleep habits may change as you age – you may be waking up frequently or be a lighter sleeper.

For adults, getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. If you are not getting enough sleep or are not getting quality sleep, talk to your doctor. You can also try a few simple changes to help with your sleep:

  • Change what you do during the day. If you normally exercise at night, try doing it in the morning.
  • Set a bedtime routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and avoid using your phone or watching television around bedtime.
  • Create a good sleep environment. Make sure your room is dark and quiet.

For more information about sleep health for adults, visit the resources below: