The total time an individual spends asleep during a 24-hour period.
Context
Sleep duration is regulated by circadian rhythms and homeostatic sleep drive, influencing endocrine and metabolic functions.
Significance
Optimal sleep duration is a critical determinant of metabolic health, cognitive performance, hormonal balance, and immune system function.
Mechanism
Sufficient duration supports essential restorative processes, including cellular repair, memory consolidation, and the regulation of key hormones like cortisol and melatonin.
Application
It is a primary metric in sleep hygiene practices and clinical evaluations of sleep disorders and overall wellness.
Metric
Measured through subjective reports, actigraphy devices, or objective polysomnography (sleep studies).
Risk
Chronically insufficient or excessive sleep duration is associated with increased risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and impaired mental health.
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