I bet you’re not sleeping enough.
We should be sleeping a lot more than what most of us average – especially for us Shanghai-ers who often work (too) hard and play (too) hard. Add to the fact that we don’t exercise enough and we don’t always eat well, and drink too much (fake alcohol) – sounds like a recipe for disaster.
You can only burn both ends of the candle for so long…
According to the National Sleep Foundation, they recommend the following:
- Newborns (0-3 months): Sleep range narrowed to 14-17 hours each day (previously it was 12-18).
- Infants (4-11 months): Sleep range widened two hours to 12-15 hours (previously it was 14-15).
- Toddlers (1-2 years): Sleep range widened by one hour to 11-14 hours (previously it was 12-14).
- Preschoolers (3-5): Sleep range widened by one hour to 10-13 hours (previously it was 11-13).
- School age children (6-13): Sleep range widened by one hour to 9-11 hours (previously it was 10-11).
- Teenagers (14-17): Sleep range widened by one hour to 8-10 hours (previously it was 8.5-9.5).
- Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category).
- Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours.
- Older adults (65+): Sleep range is 7-8 hours (new age category).
Ok, so you’ve lost the bet – you just can’t seem to get to bed earlier.
What can be done?
Science says taking naps can help.
It’s not as good as getting a good night’s rest, but it does reverse some of the negative health effects of poor sleep.
But what the heck! It’s Chinese New Year now, time to catch up on some much needed sleep!
Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Goat!