Most adults need about 1.5 to 2 hours of deep sleep per night, which typically accounts for roughly 20-25% of total sleep time if they sleep 7 to 8 hours. For example, if you sleep 7-8 hours, you should aim for around 105 to 120 minutes of deep sleep
. Deep sleep is crucial as it supports muscle relaxation, tissue growth and repair, immune system strengthening, and hormone release. It also plays a role in cognitive functions like memory consolidation
. The amount of deep sleep needed can vary with age—children and teenagers require more deep sleep, while older adults need less. Deep sleep usually occurs mostly in the first half of the night and can range from about 10% to 25% of total sleep time
. In summary:
- Adults generally need 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Deep sleep should make up about 20-25% of that time.
- This translates to approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of deep sleep.
- Amounts vary by age and individual factors.
Getting less than about 45 minutes of deep sleep is typically insufficient for adults
