sleep is overrated

[goldenratiophi]

Okay, so my mom complains all the time that I don't get enough sleep and that I need 8 hours blah blah blah. So I tried going to bed at 10 and getting 8 hours for a few days and it totally didn't work; I was far more tired in the morning spaced-out during school than usual. So now I'm back to my usual 5-6 hours and doing much better: I stay wide awake and focused throughout the day. She doesn't believe me though. Is there any reason I do better on 5-6 hours than 8+?

 

[Prozakk]

Sleep needs vary by age and by the individual.

Just do whatever makes you feel better rested.

 

[hembergler]

Probably just different from your regular routine. I know that I need a minimum of 7.5 hours of sleep every night: even fifteen minutes less makes a noticeable difference for me, and anything after that tends to be about the same.

Sleeping more is definitely better for you health-wise though, I'd try to get closer to 6-7 hours of sleep at least if you can.

 

[chesebert]

I really need 9 but my 12hr work schedule makes me glad I can get 6; I am always tired

 

[fordgtlover]

Different people need different amounts..

The amount of sleep youneed changes through the course of your life. Babies need heaps, teenagers need a lot (particularly when growing), young adults tend to get less (or at least get by on less), and then later in your life you seem to need more.

There are Headfiers who reportedly get by on 4 - 6 hour a night.

 

[kg21]

yup it does vary, but the latest sleep studies now say 7hours is the most "optimal" as a general rule, meaning they say 8 is too many people usually feel better during the day after 7 hours not 8. So op you could keep doing what works for you or you can compromise and try 7, but you definitely do not need to force yourself to sleep 8.

 

[Zorander]

I need a minimum of 7.5 hours of sleep (otherwise, I will always be feeling sleepy and my brain not quite up to its usual 'power'). I can survive on 6 hours but the day will be a complete torment on me. With 5 hours or less, I say screw it and just call in sick for the day.

I need more sleep...

 

[Prozakk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg21 /img/forum/go_quote.gif yup it does vary, but the latest sleep studies now say 7hours is the most "optimal" as a general rule, meaning they say 8 is too many people usually feel better during the day after 7 hours not 8. So op you could keep doing what works for you or you can compromise and try 7, but you definitely do not need to force yourself to sleep 8.

Sleep studies? You mention nothing of age/sleep needed variation.

 

[Rise To The Top]

I can live off of 4 hrs for a week, but then I'll feel like **** after day 8. 5-6hrs is good enough.

 

[fordgtlover]

Presumably you mean four hours a day for a week.

 

[Kirosia]

I used to be able to live off like 4-5 hours a night. Now I do 6-8, and I feel craploads better.

 

[wes.coleman]

Eating is overrated. I slept until 12 today, skipped breakfast and lunch. I'm pretty sure I stay skinny because of malnutrition, but that's fine by me. I <3 sleep

 

[450]

Sleep for me isn't the biggest factor. It's how I wake up.

For the past month my mom has been yelling at me to wake up. (trust me, she's really weird)

Let's just say some grades fell a full letter grade or more after that sequence started.

So a week ago I rigged my floorstanding speakers to blast Darude Rush at 5:30A to wake me up. Works wonders.

 

[LawnGnome]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hembergler /img/forum/go_quote.gif Probably just different from your regular routine. I know that I need a minimum of 7.5 hours of sleep every night: even fifteen minutes less makes a noticeable difference for me, and anything after that tends to be about the same. Sleeping more is definitely better for you health-wise though, I'd try to get closer to 6-7 hours of sleep at least if you can.

Actually, studies have shown more sleeps is linked to a lower life expectancy.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1928.html

But yes, right around 7 hours is best, not much more, and not much less.

 

[Prozakk]

Infants
About 16 hours per day of sleep

Babies and toddlers
From 6 months to 3 years: between 10 and 14 hours per day. Young children generally get their sleep from a combination of nighttime sleep and naps. See, especially for tips on shaping nighttime awakenings in young children.

Children
Ages 3 to 6: between 10 and 12 hours of sleep
Ages 6 to 9: about 10 hours of sleep
Ages 9 to 12: about 9 hours of sleep

Teenagers
About 9 hours of sleep per night. Teens have trouble getting enough sleep not only because of their busy schedules, but also because they are biologically programmed to want to stay up later and sleep later in the morning, which usually doesn’t mesh with school schedules.

Adults
For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each night.

Older adults
Current thought is that older adults need as much, if not more, sleep than middle-aged adults. Taking a midday nap may help.