how much sleep do you really need?

[ztirffritz]

I wake at a set time no matter when I go to sleep. I can be in bed at 7PM or 2AM I still wake at 5AM.

[OWC Jamie]

decay wrote:
I'll sleep when I'm dead.

the kid(s) you turn into a paraplegic(s) or worse when you fall asleep at the wheel and "sleep when you're dead" thank you.

[Black]

space-time wrote:
I can't seem to get enough sleep lately, for a variety of reason I won't discuss here. My doctors and all books I read say that you need a good amount of sleep, 7-8 hours. But I remember reading in some magazines that some successful people got very little sleep. so where is the truth? is 5 hours enough sleep? or do you really need 7-8 for a healthy life?

Depends on the person.
My guess is that you've been fighting a long term sinus infection?
Also, are you well hydrated? Wintertime dries us out in many ways, and that will definitely contribute to fatigue.

Successful people who get very little sleep thrive on sort of a manic energy and can do great things, but those close to them will tell you that they can be kind of a reckless mess. Ever since I heard Bill Clinton got 4 hours a night it's been clear as day to me how he could be stupid and impulsive enough to get caught messing around with an intern.

[NewtonMP2100]

depends.....exactly with whom(s).......am I to be sleeping.......

[Speedy]

In my 20's I was a long haul driver. I would sleep whenever I wanted for as long as I wanted (in my sleeper bunk.) My sleep had no fixed schedule or length. If I wanted to get somewhere I would drive night and day. Or I might sleep night and day. Mostly a stress free, natural - for me - sleep pattern. It was not unusual for me to leave home, load my freight, etc., and drive 50 miles and then sleep for as long as I wanted. Then I might drive 24 hours or for however long I wanted (regulation/enforcement was lax.). Rinse and repeat. I rarely had a scheduled load or delivery time except that I had to arrive when the consignee was open and drivers almost always had extra days to make delivery.

Now that I am retired I occasionally follow that same natural sleep pattern and it works well for me.

[kj]

Most of the people I've known who say they only need 4hrs. actually take a lot of naps, so I'm not sure that many people actually function on less than 7-8, without catching up at some point. kj.

[Robert M]

HI everyone,

I'm inclined to agree with Black and Mavic. My patterns change. Currently, I'm asleep between 11:00 and 11:30 most nights of the week and wake up between 5:30 am and 6:00 am nearly every morning. Occasionally I'll use an alarm clock if I stay up exceptionally late or know I need to be out of bed exceptionally early. Otherwise, no alarm clock necessary. I think I've used it five times over the last 8 or 9 months and woke up before it went off.

Once I'm awake, I stay awake. My body rebels if I try to go back to sleep, i.e. headache, general aches and pains, etc. Not sure why this is the case but clearly the universe intended for me to be a morning person. So, these days, I'm inclined to listen to it. The only time I don't wake up early is under extenuating circumstances. I had the flu two weeks ago and the universe allowed me to sleep late! I didn't get out of bed until 7:00 am or so.

I think something that factors into the equation is the type of person. I'm a morning person and definitely at my best in the earlier parts of the day. It could definitely be why I don't need an alarm clock in the morning. My wife, on the other hand, is a nightowl. She has no problems staying up very late, long after I'm asleep. But, she definitely is not a morning person like me. Her alarm clock will go off and she'll ignore it without a second thought unless she knows she has to be out of bed, i.e. for work. 'course, she doesn't need an alarm clock with someone like me around. I _always_ make sure she's awake on time. Heh. Heh. Heh.

Robert

[davester]

rgG wrote:
I know, but I can't do that. Kitteh is older and spoiled. It is my own fault, so now I am paying the high price

My kitteh is 20 years old and just learned this stuff over the last year or so. The problem is, you're just a softie.

[NewtonMP2100]

with the fishes.....?!?!?!?

[decay]

i get at least 6 hours a night; i'm not driving like a zombie.