While adults generally need around seven to nine hours of sleep per night at any age, each stage of life comes with its own set of biological, cognitive and developmental needs, which can significantly affect our sleeping habits. Alongside this, the stress and responsibilities of different stages of adulthood can drastically impact our quality of sleep. Here’s what to keep in mind.
.. Early adulthood: 18-25 Young adults tend to go to bed later at night and prefer a lie-in in the morning (Alamy/PA)”During this age period, cognitive functions, emotional regulation and the maturation of the brain’s prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and impulse control) are all heavily influenced by adequate sleep,” says Denise Iordache, sleep therapist and founder of JoySpace Therapy .
Therefore, between seven and nine hours of sleep every night is needed to support brain development, learning and memory consolidation. “Young adults benefit from high melatonin production, meaning they find it easier to get to and stay asleep,” says Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep . “However, they are more likely to have shifting circadian rhythms, going to bed later at night and preferring to lie in in the morning.
” (Still!) Young adults: 26-44 Once people reach full adulthood, their bodies and brains are fully developed, and their circadian rhythms tend to stabilise. “During this period, circadian rhythm stabilises, with most adults being able to m.
