For years, most of us have been preaching about the magical figure of eight hours of sleep — the number everyone should be getting for optimal health. However, with new studies emerging on sleep science, all these years of publicity have raised a difficult question: Is the eight-hour rule normal, or is it time to rethink our methods?

Experts agree that the type of sleep needed can vary depending on certain factors, such as individual differences in age, lifestyle, and genetics. However, eight hours is often considered ideal for a healthy sleeping person. While some work well on seven, nine may be required for optimal restoration.

Some recent studies are also suggesting that ideal sleep duration may change over a person’s lifetime. For example, children and teens often need more sleep than adults to support their growing bodies and active minds, while older adults sometimes feel they naturally sleep more than they did in their younger years. I sleep less. These findings support a more flexible approach to sleep, allowing people to adapt their routines to their age and Demand for change in lifestyle,

This opens the question: Is quantity better than quality? To understand this, we spoke to consultant Dr Arun Chaudhary Kotaroo respiration, PulmonologyAnd sleeping pills At Artemis Hospital.

“The quality of sleep essentially determines how refreshed and awake we feel the next morning. For example, deep sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is similar in duration. A person will probably feel better if that person gets seven hours of undisturbed and comfortable sleep, compared to a person who just tosses and turns his or her way,” says Dr. Kotarou.

Additionally, the influence of external factors like caffeine, alcohol, and even late-night snacks can affect the quality of our sleep, sometimes more than the actual hours we spend in bed. These factors can disrupt sleep cycles, reducing the time we spend in deep or REM sleep, which are the restorative stages. So, a solid night’s rest is all about being mindful of our habits, minimizing interruptions, and aiming for consistency rather than a strict, one-size-fits-all sleep duration.

According to Dr. Kotarou, a related cause is the drastic changes in sleep schedules in the modern world. “Increasing screen time, stress and unpredictable schedules have made it difficult for everyone to maintain just an eight-hour block. Listening to internal sleep cues, or “circadian rhythms,” often proves more successful, he says.

The bottom line is that the fact of the matter is not about racing against the clock, but about finding what refreshes you. “Instead of mindlessly following the eight-hour rule, Improve your sleep quality and manage stressIn other words, adopt a routine that matches your lifestyle to get good sleep,” says Dr. Kotaru.

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