(AURN News) — So how much sleep do people really need?
A new study published in the journal Nature found that the optimal amount of sleep falls between 6.4 and 7.8 hours a night.
The study also found that short sleep — defined as less than six hours — and long sleep, defined as more than eight hours, are associated with increased health risks.
Researchers say those risks go beyond effects on the brain and are linked to conditions including depression and diabetes, as well as a higher risk of death.
The study also found that better-quality sleep is associated with improved long-term health outcomes throughout life.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
