How much sleep is best for *you*?

[bin_tenn]

Hey all! I think we all know that sleep hygiene is important. While the amount of necessary sleep varies by age and other factors, it seems that it also varies from person to person. So I'm curious, how much sleep do *you* need to feel well throughout the day? What factors seem to play a role in your quality of sleep? (My answer below)

For me, it seems to depend pretty heavily on whether or not my sleep is interrupted by an alarm. During the week, when I have to wake up by a certain time for work, I require around 8 full hours of sleep. If I sleep, say, 7 hours and I wake up to my alarm, I don't feel that great. Not necessarily tired or unwell, but not 100%. But on weekends, when my body can sleep until it's fully ready to wake up, I sometimes only sleep for 6-6.5 hours (possibly less), and I wake up feeling like a million bucks. LoL.

So it seems that, for me, it's not so much about how long I sleep, but it's more about whether or not my sleep is interrupted by an alarm or other external things. That makes sense, I think, when you consider how sleep cycles work.

What about you?

 

[Cuchculan]

If I get 6 hours sleep I am doing good. My sleep tends to be broken up a lot. A week or two ago I actually slept through the full night. It surprised me. First time that happened in a long time.

Lack of sleep is no good for anybody. I am much worse when I don't sleep. Though I get up about 4AM, have my breakfast. Play a few card games on the computer. Then am back in bed about 6. Getting up again about 8. Is the only way I know how to do it. To try and get enough sleep to get me through the day.

Thank God we have no trains at night in Ireland. As we have a train station beside us. Tracks out back of us. Trains stop here just before midnight. Start up just after 6 in the morning. We do get them working on the tracks at times. Only time they can do that is at night. Bloody nightmare. They start around 2 in the morning and finish at 5. They have to tell us in advance. No surprises allowed. That was by court order after a neighbour took them to court.

 

[FirstJack]

If I can get between 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I am completely fine. It's when sleep is interrupted that I notice my performance at work declines. I can't describe it as creating or causing fatigue. It's more like I lack motivation and almost have to force myself to do things. I don't know if that's relatable.

 

[bin_tenn]

If I get 6 hours sleep I am doing good. My sleep tends to be broken up a lot. A week or two ago I actually slept through the full night. It surprised me. First time that happened in a long time.

Lack of sleep is no good for anybody. I am much worse when I don't sleep. Though I get up about 4AM, have my breakfast. Play a few card games on the computer. Then am back in bed about 6. Getting up again about 8. Is the only way I know how to do it. To try and get enough sleep to get me through the day.

Thank God we have no trains at night in Ireland. As we have a train station beside us. Tracks out back of us. Trains stop here just before midnight. Start up just after 6 in the morning. We do get them working on the tracks at times. Only time they can do that is at night. Bloody nightmare. They start around 2 in the morning and finish at 5. They have to tell us in advance. No surprises allowed. That was by court order after a neighbour took them to court.

Yikes. We have a train track nearby, but far enough away that we barely hear it while awake. I can't imagine getting less than 6hrs on a regular basis. :O

If I can get between 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I am completely fine. It's when sleep is interrupted that I notice my performance at work declines. I can't describe it as creating or causing fatigue. It's more like I lack motivation and almost have to force myself to do things. I don't know if that's relatable.

Yes, I think I know what you mean. Think it's about the same for me.

 

[Cuchculan]

Can you imagine living beside an airport? That would be even worse. Oddly enough the trains don't bother us at all. We are used to them. Have had a few people stay here. All mentioned trains. How early they woke because of the trains. Were we could sleep with the trains running. Only main issue was always work on the tracks over night. We even made the national newspaper over that one. They were extending the platforms. Working 7 nights a week. Keeping us all awake. Paper done a story of it. Had a few of us pose for pictures. Told me to put my clothes back on.

 

[bin_tenn]

Can you imagine living beside an airport? That would be even worse. Oddly enough the trains don't bother us at all. We are used to them. Have had a few people stay here. All mentioned trains. How early they woke because of the trains. Were we could sleep with the trains running. Only main issue was always work on the tracks over night. We even made the national newspaper over that one. They were extending the platforms. Working 7 nights a week. Keeping us all awake. Paper done a story of it. Had a few of us pose for pictures. Told me to put my clothes back on.

LoL

We also live near a couple of airports, but only close enough to hear planes going over. Not close enough to hear that louder sounds. I don't mind them either, except when I'm enjoying the fresh air while on a work call, because that seems to be the only time they fly over...

 

[Camden]

I need to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep to feel well rested physically and mentally. I naturally feel sleepy between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. I naturally wake up (without an alarm) between 6:30 a.m and 7:30 a.m.

Sleep hygiene makes a tremendous difference. Lately, I've been listening to relaxing music on a sleep timer on Spotify to help me fall asleep. Searching "Stress Relief" or "Sleep" makes for nice results. I've just got a Serta Brookton plush mattress that has helped me to sleep so much better. One thing that's important is making sure your mattress is in good condition and suits your sleeping style. A good mattress is a wise investment...

 

[bin_tenn]

I need to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep to feel well rested physically and mentally. I naturally feel sleepy between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. I naturally wake up (without an alarm) between 6:30 a.m and 7:30 a.m.

Sleep hygiene makes a tremendous difference. Lately, I've been listening to relaxing music on a sleep timer on Spotify to help me fall asleep. Searching "Stress Relief" or "Sleep" makes for nice results. I've just got a Serta Brookton plush mattress that has helped me to sleep so much better. One thing that's important is making sure your mattress is in good condition and suits your sleeping style. A good mattress is a wise investment...

We bought our mattress just a couple years ago. The mattress is definitely comfortable and doesn't cause any issues with my sleep. My biggest problem is that I often refuse to simply go to bed at a decent time. Even if I'm tired. I just want to stay up and "live". Haha. I'm doing alright lately though, getting more around 7hrs.

 

[Cuchculan]

They say it takes about an hour to wind down if you have been on a computer or wayching the TV or doing anything that will get the brain going. If I want to sleep at 10PM, I will go to bed at 9PM. Put the radio on. It does work. I do be asleep by 10 or even before that. I think a lot of people are so hyped up when they go to bed. Thus sleeping can be near impossible. Then they go and do the wrong thing. Get back out of bed again. That only wakes them up even more. We all just need to wind down. Then sleep will come to us.

 

[bin_tenn]

They say it takes about an hour to wind down if you have been on a computer or wayching the TV or doing anything that will get the brain going. If I want to sleep at 10PM, I will go to bed at 9PM. Put the radio on. It does work. I do be asleep by 10 or even before that. I think a lot of people are so hyped up when they go to bed. Thus sleeping can be near impossible. Then they go and do the wrong thing. Get back out of bed again. That only wakes them up even more. We all just need to wind down. Then sleep will come to us.

Definitely! I actually did pretty good last night. I think I got in bed a little after 10:30pm, and I was asleep no later than 11:30, but it was probably closer to 11. Got some decent sleep, which always feels pretty decent in the morning. Haha.

I definitely agree about getting out of bed being a mistake. I've done that before, but not often. Every time I do, it takes that much longer to fall asleep when I get back in bed.

 

[Izthewiz]

I get about 7 hours on average per night.
That is enough for me personally.
My day starts at 5:30 am Brazilian Jujitsu and ends after work around 3pm

 

[Nutmeg]

I think it really depends on the person. I definitely need at least 6hrs to feel refreshed.. anything more is just a lovely bonus.
I used to struggle falling asleep, but now I put on a podcast and as much as I try to listen, I fall asleep. If I don't have anything playing my thoughts keep me awake.

 

[bigjetplane23]

Tbh at least 10-12 hours in order for me to be able to start my day. But I think a lot has to do with being mentally tired from anxiety and depression.