Sleep may be the foundation of health, but there's a lot of confusion around it. How much to get? How to make it easier? And if a watch tells you your time in bed sucked, did it? Thanks to smart experts and new research, we now understand what you truly need for *good* sleep. (Finally!) This advice takes the stress out of snooze time.
You Don't Need 8 Hours of Sleep
Actually, maybe you do. But maybe you don't. The point is: There's nothing set in stone about getting eight hours. “While the recommendation for most adults is still around seven to nine hours of sleep, there's a shift away from pursuing a one-size-fits-all ‘magic number,’” says sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD, a senior behavioral and social scientist with RAND. That's due to research that resulted in updated views on sleep quantity and quality. “We now recognize that sleep needs can vary, with some people requiring more and others less,” she says. Plus, quality sleep goes beyond duration—regularity is also important, Troxel adds. Case in point: Maintaining regular sleep patterns (i.e., consistent bed and wake-up times) was associated with up to 48 percent lower odds of death from any cause compared to having a more erratic sleep schedule, found a study published in Sleep. In fact, consistency was a stronger predictor of overall longevity than the number of hours clocked, per that same research.
Backup Alarms Always Backfire
Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2025 de Women's Health US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2025 de Women's Health US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Super Bowls
Introducing the WH game plan for nutrient-packed mixes of healthy goodness
Protein Upgrade
Six ingredients, two sheet pans, one stellar chicken dinner for the fam
How to Fly Without Fear
Trying to stay calm on a bumpy airplane? WH asked experts for the best tips and tricks to quell flight anxiety.
Mantra Magic
Sometimes, all it takes is one little phrase to smash your goals.
be a force
These five trainers each built a following by forging their own path in the wellness world. Now they're coleading the Women's Health Flex Challenge, 28 days of workouts you can customize for your unique goals. They're proof that strength comes in many forms— and they're here to help you unlock it within yourself. Let's go!
This Is Your Brain on Menopause
Jessica Shepherd, MD, a WH advisor, explains how your mind shifts during this body-altering phase in this excerpt from her book, Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause.
HOW WE HEALTH-CARE NOW
The whooooolllllle landscape has changed. Finally— finally-here is your everything guide to all the new services you keep hearing about, and how to game the system to get the care you need.
LIGHT THERAPY
You've seen those LED face masks on social media and may be wondering, \"Do they work?\" The answer is more than a simple \"yes.\" In fact, experts are just beginning to understand how this energy and the sun's rays profoundly impact skin.
Scent Energy
How one mystical aroma has made a comeback as a modern-day \"wellness fragrance.\" WH explores the power of palo santo.
The New Sleep Guide of Your Dreams
Experts' rules of rest have shifted a lot—what to know now.
