Should Teen Athletes Aim for More Than 8 Hours of Sleep

I consistently get 8 hours of sleep, going to bed at 10pm and waking at 6am. I wake up early because I like to focus on my passions before and after school. My mom thinks I should sleep 9 or 10 hours due to my athletic activities. I have many interests and limited time. More sleep could be beneficial, but I’m looking for some advice here.

Do you feel tired during the day? That’s usually a good indicator.

Laken said:
Do you feel tired during the day? That’s usually a good indicator.

No, I don’t feel tired.

Eight hours is sufficient.

If you feel fine, then your current sleep schedule is likely okay.

The idea of needing exactly 8 hours of sleep is not accurate for everyone. Listen to your body; some need more, others less. The key is how you feel and perform during the day.

I average 6 hours myself and actually feel better on less sleep. Everyone’s different, but you could experiment with more sleep to see how it affects you. Statistically, you’re getting enough.