In 1910, the average person slept 9.0 hours a night.  By 1975, the average person slept 7.5 hours.  In a 2002 poll, the National Sleep Foundation found that the average American adult was sleeping 6.9 hours a night, leading to fatigue, exhaustion and other symptoms.

The sleep goal per night is:

• Infants (up to just about a year old) -- 14 hours of sleep.
• Toddlers (12 months to 3 years) -- 12 to 14 hours of sleep.
• Preschoolers (3 to 5 years, even 6 year old kindergarteners) -- 11 to 13 hours of sleep.
• School-aged kids (1st grade to 5th grade) 10 to 11 hours of sleep.
• Teens -- 9 hours of sleep.
• Adults -- 8+ hours of sleep.

In a 10-year study the University of Michigan Health System found a significant connection between a preschooler's lack of sleep and substance abuse.  It linked preschooler's bad sleep habits to their use of drug, tobacco or alcohol later in life. Make sufficient sleep a family priority!

Read the other health tips in my sleep and bedrooms series to learn how to keep your bedroom healthful and restful.

Have a restful night.

Dr. Pepi

July 10, 2007