We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping, so the quality and quantity of sleep is important to our overall health and wellbeing.
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If you're wondering how much sleep you should actually get, a new study from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in the United States has revised the amount everyone needs.
The chart has a minimum and maximum range, and a recommended section for optimal health which can be used as a good rule of thumb.
One of the new things introduced is the "may be appropriate" range, which acknowledges that individuals do vary in their sleep needs.
Another big change the NSF made was to recommend more hours of sleep for babies, children and teenagers.
The NSF now recommends:
Newborns (0-3 months): Sleep range narrowed to 14-17 hours each day (previously it was 12-18)
Infants (4-11 months): Sleep range widened two hours to 12-15 hours (previously it was 14-15)
Toddlers (1-2 years): Sleep range widened by one hour to 11-14 hours (previously it was 12-14)
Preschoolers (3-5): Sleep range widened by one hour to 10-13 hours (previously it was 11-13)
School age children (6-13): Sleep range widened by one hour to 9-11 hours (previously it was 10-11)
Teenagers (14-17): Sleep range widened by one hour to 8-10 hours (previously it was 8.5-9.5)
Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category)
Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours
Older adults (65+): Sleep range is 7-8 hours (new age category)
The NSF gathered a panel of 18 scientists and researchers from medical associations in fields including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry, who spent more than two years working on their study.
The experts were asked to review more than 300 current studies on how much sleep is ideal, and then vote on how much sleep people should get at different stages of their life.
"The NSF has committed to regularly reviewing and providing scientifically rigorous recommendations," Chair of the National Sleep Foundation Scientific Advisory Council Dr Max Hirshkowitz said.
"The public can be confident that these recommendations represent the best guidance for sleep duration and health."
While their sleep chart is good to keep in mind, the NSF says it's important to also consider what lifestyle factors may be impacting your sleep.
How to get a good night's sleep
While knowing how many hours you should be sleeping is one thing, actually having a decent sleep is another thing altogether.
To set yourself up for a good night's sleep, sleep physician Dr Maree Barnes from the Sleep Health foundation says it's important to have a routine.
"Try to do more or less the same things before you go to bed every night so your body understands that the series of activities leads to sleep," says Dr Barnes.
Avoiding all stimulants like caffeine and alcohol half an hour before bed, and avoiding food for two hours before bed time will also help you get to sleep.
While you can't consume it, screens are another stimulant Dr Barnes says you should avoid before bed.
"Don't have mobile phones and computers in your bedroom, get rid of everything," says Dr Barnes.
Dr Barnes says you need to make sure your bedroom itself is going to help you get to sleep, rather than hinder it.
"Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep, so it's dark enough and comfortable, and the right temperature," says Dr Barnes.
