How many hours of quality sleep are required to maintain wellness?

• A. 5-6
• B. 7-8
• C. 9-10
• D. 6-7

Answer: (B)

Getting enough high-quality sleep each night supports memory, mood, immune function, and safe, effective performance on the job. For adults, seven to eight hours of sleep per night is a solid target that sits within the usual guideline of seven to nine hours. It provides enough time for multiple sleep cycles and restorative processes without routinely oversleeping. Five to six hours is generally not enough for most people and can impair attention and decision-making. Nine to ten hours is more than needed for many, and while some individuals may need that much, it isn’t the standard recommendation. Six to seven hours is better than very short sleep but still may leave some individuals under-rested. So the best choice to maintain wellness, for most adults, is seven to eight hours of quality sleep.