A sleep diary is a good way to keep track of sleep patterns
A sleep diary can help us document any problems in our daily habits that inhibit sleep or cause insomnia. The sleep diary may include the following elements: when we go to bed, when we fall asleep, when we wake up, how many times we wake up at night, when we drink caffeine or alcohol, when and what we eat and drink before going to bed, emotional challenges and / or stressors, and finally a list of medications.
How much sleep do I need?
Individuals’ sleep time needs vary, and sleep time varies between children and adults too.
Adults
In some adults, the amount of sleep can vary from about 5 to a maximum of 10 hours per night. However, many studies show that most normal adults need an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
Children
It is generally accepted that the younger a person is, the more sleep they need. Teenagers need about nine hours of sleep, while babies need about 16 hours a night.