How much sleep do we REALLY need?

BeautyFromPain
BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
8 hours is what has been said for decades but just recently there have been studies that have been saying that 8 hours is too much and 6-7 is much better but I have also seen people saying 9-10 hours is good.

Does anyone know the real answer here?

Replies

  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    Personally, I need ten hours to wake up HAPPY and refreshed lol. In real life, I get about six per night. Anything less than that and people mistake me for the Grim Reaper lol
  • Huskeryogi
    Huskeryogi Posts: 578 Member
    It's like just about everything else that starts an arguement on here - depends on the person.

    Studies have shown that 7-9 hours of sleep increases weight loss (HGH increases) and anymore than that negates the effect, but there are plenty of people out there who do just fine on less sleep than that.

    I'm definitely a 7-8 hour a night girl.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    All of the info I have come across suggest 7 hours minimum and 9 hours maximum.
  • particleastro
    particleastro Posts: 68 Member
    Studies (of which I will trawl and report back) have shown that eight hours can lead to increased risk of heart and respiratory diseases. Any other amount is fine. Ill find the paper....
  • hoosiermama1977
    hoosiermama1977 Posts: 43
    I really think it varies by person and also in the quality of sleep. I wear a bodymedia fit and it logs my sleep for me and I get very, very solid sleep... 7 hours feels perfect to me. My husband tosses and turns all night, wakes up often, has problems falling asleep etc... and seems to need closer to 10! But if you think about it he's probably not actually getting more then 7! I think it's most important to have good sleep habits - a regular routine if at all possible!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Depends on each person. I takes 8-9 for me to not feel tired. However this is NOT possible fore me. I function off 6-7.
  • maleva720
    maleva720 Posts: 165 Member
    I believe it is individualized...also depends on age...younger needs more etc
    I find with myself no matter how late I go to bed I still wake up at the same time too
  • Chairless
    Chairless Posts: 583 Member
    Everyones different, for me its 6-7 of "uninterrupted" sleep
  • wiggleroom
    wiggleroom Posts: 322 Member
    Completely depends on the individual. I am fuzzy brained and fatigued if I get fewer than eight. My husband is perfectly fine with six. My sister absolutely cannot force herself to sleep longer than five. And we're all healthy, and roughly the same age (42, 46, 44, respectively).
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    6.5-7 of "good sleep" seems to work pretty well for me.
    I'd rather go off 5.5 hrs of "dead to the world" sleep, than 9 hours of restless sleep.
  • Saelina
    Saelina Posts: 129 Member
    I don't know how much we need, I get between 7 -8 hrs and I wake up in that time frame regardless of what time I go to sleep. Sucks when I fall asleep early and Im up roaming the house at 4 am
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    depends on age and life style =] I used to be really crabby if I got less then 9 hours of sleep but I'm finding 8 is fine. I just took psychology at my college and the book said the need for more sleep lessens the older you get. Sounds kind of weird to me lol.
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    I've noticed that 6-7 hours and I am feeling good, and not sluggish or groggy, same for my husband, however thats my opinion!
  • Kate6868
    Kate6868 Posts: 159 Member
    I often get 7, but feel way better with 8. I'll have more time for sleep some day when I'm retired, although I probably won't want it then!
  • moriaht
    moriaht Posts: 251 Member
    I read a study recently that said adults function best on 7 hours and teens need 8-10 hours. I personally need 8-9 hours, but I am 19 so that seems right to me!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    8 hours is what has been said for decades but just recently there have been studies that have been saying that 8 hours is too much and 6-7 is much better but I have also seen people saying 9-10 hours is good.

    Does anyone know the real answer here?

    everyone is different... i need my 8 hours or i am just MEAN! but i have friends who manage on 5 or 6.
  • beth651
    beth651 Posts: 34 Member
    7-8 seems to work best for me, but I can function on less.
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Personally I am a 6-7 person. Over 8 makes me feel very draggy and unfocused.


    On vacation sleep is only as necessary! You can sleep when you're dead you may never be in (fill in desired vacay spot) again! Don't spend it in a hotel bed!
  • egates1984
    egates1984 Posts: 33 Member
    I like to sleep about 9-10 hours but I usually wake up once or twice durning those hours, even on prescribed sleeping pills. I'd say if you don't need coffee to function in the morning, you got enough sleep.
  • Hirundo
    Hirundo Posts: 148 Member
    Studies (of which I will trawl and report back) have shown that eight hours can lead to increased risk of heart and respiratory diseases. Any other amount is fine. Ill find the paper....

    Whaaaat ???
    You mean either 6-7 OR 9-10 hours are fine but not 8 ??? Doesnt make any sens to me..
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Studies (of which I will trawl and report back) have shown that eight hours can lead to increased risk of heart and respiratory diseases. Any other amount is fine. Ill find the paper....

    NotSureifserious.jpg
  • cspinney
    cspinney Posts: 81 Member
    I would say it depends on the person. I need 8 hours minimum, but 9 seems to be optimal for me.
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