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The following content is created in consultation with Mancini's Sleepworld. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC BAY AREA's editorial staff. To learn more about Mancini's Sleepworld, visit Sleepworld.com.

We’ve all skimped on a night of sleep and paid the consequences. Whether cramming for a test or catching up with an old friend was the cause, the result is always the same — a tortuous next day as we slog through things like work, school and family life feeling unalert and uninspired.

Of course we’d all like to maximize time snoozing between the sheets (humans spend one-third of their lives in bed), but busy schedules and their myriad responsibilities and obligations often stand between us and a good night’s rest. In fact, many of us suffer from chronic sleep debt, a condition caused by the buildup of adenosine in our bloodstream (sleep breaks this chemical down) that causes us to go through life in a perpetual state of drowsiness, always reaching for that cup of coffee to get through the day.

All this begs one simple question: how much sleep do we really need?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the answer depends on a variety of factors, from your lifestyle to your age. That’s why they put together a panel of 18 leading scientists and researchers to make official sleep recommendations for every stage of your life.

Read on to see where you and your children fall in.

Newborns (Under 3 months)
14-17 hours

Infants (4-11 months)
12-15 hours

Toddlers (ages 1-2)
11-14 hours

Preschoolers (ages 3-5)
10-13 hours

School age children (ages 6-13)
9-11 hours

Teenagers (ages 14-17)
8-10 hours

Adults (ages 18-64)
7-9 hours

Older adults (65+)
7-8 hours

One of the best ways to guarantee good sleep is by getting the right mattress. For a great deal on your next bed visit Mancini’s Sleepworld, where their experts will guide you through their wide selection of offerings. To learn more, visit Mancini's Sleepworld or call (800) 647-5337.

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