Sleeping

[pianoperformer]

Since it is the summer break, I've mostly been sleeping whenever I feel like it. Oddly, i've been noticing that I tend only to sleep for 5.5-6 hours. This seems rather strange, considering the recommendation is for 7-8 hours.

Is something just messed up with my sleep schedule, or is it possible to require so little sleep? If something is wrong with it, how can I naturally sleep enough?

What happens is that I will wake up 5.5-6 hours after going to sleep, feeling wide awake, so will just get up. Every so often I do feel tired later on, though.

[Calculusaurus]

Sleep as much as your body needs.

1. Genetics influence sleep duration. Classic studies have confirmed that some people need less than 3 hours. One older women needed 1 hour. These people are as rare as people over 7 feet in height. But they exist.

2. Habits and lifestyle influence sleep need. Getting 5.5-6 hours might just mean you're maximizing sleep quality, so you'r body doesn't need as much.

Best way to minimize sleep duration is to perfectly hit your circadian low-point, that very sensitive window when your internal 24-h clock is sending your body signals to go to sleep.

Maybe because its summer break you've just become better at sleeping during your circadian low.

[pianoperformer]

Thanks for that reply.

I just woke up from 4.5 hours of sleep, lol. However, I think this one is because of my medication wearing off. I have to take a replacement for vasopressin (that they call DDAVP), and it gets uncomfortable when it wears off every 12 hours or so.

[hkalchemy]

I agree - sleep as much or as little as you need to. My sleep habits are quite up and down too.

[shiggityjoe]

I can generally am fine with 5 1/2 to 6 hours per night.

[sarahme]

Everyone's body is different.

I agree with everyone else. If you feel completely alert with less than "normal" sleeptime, so be it. I sometimes find that I am less tired when I sleep less v more. Listen to your body.

[Playlife]

It could also be that in summer, your body just simply needs less sleep. Perhaps because of more sunlight, more fresh food, just more freshness. Animals are also more active in summer, so it make sense that we tend to sleep less during this time of year.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I think the ideal is what my grandmother did -- sleep when you're tired and get up when you're not. Of course, not everyone's schedule can accomodate this. But I don't see why you'd need 8 hours if you feel well rested on fewer. I think that's a recommendation because it's average. People are all different. I have a friend who slept only 4 hours each night and not once looked tired. As others have said, listen to your body and adjust if needed.