TAKE ACTION
AUGUST 2021
Get enough sleep — through all stages of life
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Sleep needs and sleep deprivation
One of the basics of good health is getting enough sleep. But how much is enough? Sleep needs change as we age:
Sleep needs are different by gender, too. Women need 20 minutes more sleep than men, on average.1
Is it good sleep?
Sleep provides important benefits, such as a stronger immune system, healthier weight, and sharper mind. And the key to these benefits is deep sleep — the stage of sleep when your brainwaves are the slowest. In healthy adults, between 13% and 23% of an eight-hour sleep should be deep sleep.2 Without it, symptoms of sleep deprivation, including less concentration, slowed thinking and mood changes, can start to kick in. Plus, ongoing sleep deprivation puts you at an increased risk for depression.
No matter your age, getting enough rest is essential to a healthy mind and body, yet about a quarter of U.S adults still report not getting enough sleep!3
If you’re concerned about your quality of sleep, or your child’s, your Costco benefits may be able to help. Make a sleep plan with the help of your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician.
1Elkins L. Who REALLY needs more sleep – men or women? Daily Mail. Accessed June 9, 2021.
2Colten HR, Altevogt BM. Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation: an unmet public health problem. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed June 9, 2021.
3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sleep and sleep disorders. Data & statistics. Accessed June 9, 2021.