Sleep Foundation

Allow adequate time

Allowing adequate time to get enough sleep is essential. Sleep should be viewed as restorative, not as a waste of time.

Most adults require between 7 to 9 hours sleep. For some people 6 hours may be sufficient, whilst others may need 10 hours.

Getting adequate sleep is important. However, it is equally important not to worry about insufficient sleep and insomnia. A helpful perspective is to “prioritise sleep, but don’t worry about it”.

Giving enough time to get the amount of sleep you need is what you have most control over. Even if you don’t sleep you did what you could to aid it.

• Work out what time you need to get up, subtract the amount of sleep you need, and plan your bedtime to suit that. For example, if you need to get up at 7am and you know that 8 hours of sleep suits you, then you need to be ready to go to sleep at 11pm.