How Many Hours Of Sleep Do You Need Per Night?

The Truth About How Much Sleep You Really Need

"Just get your eight hours" was never the full story. The right amount of sleep depends on your age, your body, and your stage of life — and getting it right could be one of the biggest health upgrades you make this year.

Sleep scientists and the National Sleep Foundation have mapped out clear, evidence-based targets for every age group, from newborns through to older adults. Yet most of us are falling short: more than a quarter of Australian adults regularly get less than the recommended seven hours, and the consequences add up quietly — from a sharply higher risk of catching a cold to measurable effects on memory, heart health, and even long-term mortality.

There's a fascinating twist, too. The single uninterrupted block we think of as "normal" sleep is actually a relatively modern invention. For most of human history, people slept in two distinct stretches — and modern science has confirmed that if you wake at 3am, you're very likely not broken at all.

The good news is that hitting your number doesn't require a perfect routine — just a slightly better one. Discover the recommended hours for your age, the science behind why they matter, and three simple, evidence-backed changes you can start tonight.

Read more