How much sleep do adults actually need?

Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. While some people genuinely function well on less (there is a rare genetic variant that allows this), most people who think they are fine on 5-6 hours have simply adapted to feeling tired. Chronic sleep deprivation increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and weakened immunity. The best test: if you need an alarm to wake up, you are probably not getting enough sleep.

Most adults need between 6 and 9 hours of sleep every night. If you are consistently sleeping less than this, you may be building up a sleep debt that can affect your physical and mental health. Poor sleep has been linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, and can shorten your life expectancy.

This is an important general health question. We recommend speaking with your GP for personalised advice. You can also contact NHS 111 (free, 24/7) for urgent guidance, or visit nhs.uk for trusted health information. Please note: this is general health information, not a substitute for professional medical advice.