How much sleep do adults need each night?

Most adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night, with many functioning best on seven to nine hours. Individual needs vary according to age, health, activity levels and natural sleep patterns. Regularly sleeping less than your body needs can affect concentration, mood, reaction time and physical health. Sleeping for eight hours does not guarantee that the sleep was restorative, particularly if it was fragmented by stress, noise, alcohol, breathing problems or frequent waking. Pay attention to how you feel during the day. Difficulty waking, reliance on large amounts of caffeine, unplanned naps and weekend oversleeping can suggest insufficient sleep. Persistent tiredness despite allowing enough time for sleep should be discussed with a healthcare professional.