Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy

Sleep is essential for optimal health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) developed a consensus recommendation for the amount of sleep needed to promote optimal health in adults, using a modified RAND Appropriateness Method process. The recommendation is summarized here. A manuscript detailing the conference proceedings and evidence supporting the final recommendation statement will be published in SLEEP and the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Adults should sleep 7 or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal

health. Sleeping less than 7 hours per night on a regular basis is associated with adverse

health outcomes, including weight gain and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart

disease and stroke, depression, and increased risk of death. Sleeping less than 7

hours per night is also associated with impaired immune function, increased pain,

impaired performance, increased errors, and greater risk of accidents.

Sleeping more than 9 hours per night on a regular basis may be appropriate for

young adults, individuals recovering from sleep debt, and individuals with

illnesses. For others, it is uncertain whether sleeping more than 9 hours per night

is associated with health risk.

People concerned they are sleeping too little or too much should consult their

healthcare provider.

http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=30027