A good night’s sleep is crucial for a healthy brain. Research shows that our memory and concentration deteriorate even after a few nights of bad sleep. And chronic sleep deprivation also increases the risk of conditions such as depression, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and possibly even dementia.
But what is bad sleep? In general, between 7 and 9 hours of sleep is recommended for adults. It is of course not entirely cast in concrete. One is refreshed after 5 or 6 hours of sleep, the other is worth nothing if he or she has not been sleeping for at least 8 hours. With age, the duration of sleep decreases and it is normal to lie awake more often in between.
However, a study by the Brain Foundation shows that 90 percent of the Dutch do indeed get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. More women than men have sleeping problems. Women have more trouble falling asleep, have more trouble staying asleep and use more sleep medication than men. 17.5 percent of women over 65 use sleep medication, compared to 6.1 percent of men.
There are plenty of tricks and trips to make sleeping easier. No telephone next to the bed, no alcohol before going to sleep, drink milk or eat a banana, prevent stress, dim the light in the bedroom, ensure good ventilation, etc. etc. How are you doing? Do you sleep like a baby every night? Or are you happy with every hour of sleep you get?
Cast your vote below. You can also leave an (anonymous) comment at the bottom of this article.
I (almost) never sleep longer than 7 hours a night
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