Is the 8 hour sleep theory wrong? After the age of 60, how long is it good to sleep every day? Tel

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-05

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The importance of sleep to physical health is self-evident, as it is not only a critical process for physiological recovery, but also an integral part of maintaining and promoting physical and mental health. During sleep, the body enters a process of self-repair and regeneration. For example, growth hormone is most vigorously secreted during deep sleep, which helps with cell repair, tissue reconstruction, and muscle growth. In addition, the immune system increases its activity while sleeping, releasing substances such as white blood cells and proteins to fight pathogens, helping the body repair damaged tissues and boosting immunity.

Sleep is essential for the maintenance of cognitive function. Studies have found that during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the brain synchronously synchronous, classifies, and stores information acquired throughout the day, thereby consolidating memories and promoting long-term memory formation. Lack of adequate sleep can affect the ability to learn new knowledge, reduce concentration and decision-making.

Sleep is very important for stabilizing mood and maintaining a good state of mind. Studies have shown that persistent sleep deprivation or insomnia may lead to an increased incidence of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. A good night's sleep can help people cope better with stress, improve emotional stability, and help maintain mental health. According to the Internet, is the 8-hour "sleep theory" wrong? After the age of 60, how long is it good to sleep every day? Tell you the answer

In fact, the "8-hour sleep theory" is not wrong, but an oversimplification of human understanding of sleep needs. In general, adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day to maintain optimal physical and mental health. This range is an average based on a large number of research data, but it varies greatly from person to person, with some people taking as little as 6 hours to feel energized, while others may need 9 hours or more to regain strength.

For seniors aged 60 and over, their sleep needs may indeed change.

1: Changes in sleep structure. As we age, the body's biological clock changes, leading to early awakenings or frequent awakenings during the night. Older people have significantly less time spent in deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), while light sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep are relatively more.

2: Increased influencing factors for sleep quality. Older people are more susceptible to factors such as chronic diseases, medications, and environmental changes, resulting in disrupted or disconnected sleep.

3: Adjustment of the actual required sleep duration. Although older adults may no longer need the same total amount of sleep as younger people, they still need adequate quality sleep to support physical recovery and mental health. It is generally recommended that people over the age of 60 get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is ideal, but individual differences are also emphasized, and some older people may only need 5 to 6 hours to meet their daily needs.

4: Focus on the quality of your sleep, not just the duration. Rather than sticking to a fixed sleep duration, it is more important to ensure the quality of sleep, including being able to fall asleep smoothly, maintaining continuous sleep throughout the night, and having sufficient deep sleep phases.

Therefore, for seniors over the age of 60, the key is to find a sleep pattern that suits their physical condition and personal routine, and focus on improving sleep quality, such as creating a good sleep environment, maintaining a regular sleep habit, avoiding excessive daytime napping, exercising properly, limiting caffeine intake, and properly managing underlying diseases and their accompanying symptoms.

Okay, that's it for today, I'm Fengyan Shilu. In a complex and ever-changing world, we must stick to our beliefs and dreams, move forward bravely, not afraid of difficulties and setbacks, strive to pursue ideals and goals, and write wonderful life stories for ourselves. After the baptism of wind and rain, you can enjoy the beauty of the rainbow. Stranger, come on!

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