How much sleep do you really need?
The answer might surprise you.
As with everything, humans can be very diverse when it comes to the amount of sleep they need.
Eight hours is the standard number, but everyone has a friend who swears they can survive on just five hours a night. Are they stretching the truth?
Maybe not. Sleep is very individual – there’s no one-size-fits-all target.
Sleep researcher Dr Tony Fernando says the popular notion that all adults must get eight hours of sleep per night is a myth.
So, instead of focusing on the number of hours you get each night, the key is to focus on how you feel. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will find ways of telling you.
Some common signs you need more sleep include junk food cravings, skin breakouts, brain fog, and moodiness.
Are you like Elon Musk, Richard Branson or Oprah?
These three famous entrepreneurs are great examples of how sleep needs vary from person to person.
Elon Musk once said in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) that he gets about six hours of sleep per night on average.
Richard Branson wrote in a blog post that he needs five to six hours of sleep to get the most out of his days.
Oprah Winfrey, meanwhile, told the Hollywood Reporter that she generally clocks eight hours of sleep most nights.
Cheat on sleep with caution
Once you find your magic number, cheat on sleep with caution.
There’s so much pressure to give up sleep for more ‘important’ things, like work or exercise. However, cheating on sleep can have far-ranging consequences for your mind and body.
With decent sleep, you’re likely to feel more energetic, more alert, overall healthier, and just more on top of your game.
Groggy in the morning? Get these things right to wake up energised.
When your sleep is on the low side, research shows you could experience things like impaired cognitive function, endocrine changes, and increased blood pressure after exercise.
The point of this information is not to scare you – rather to empower you to prioritise your precious sleep in a culture that often glorifies round-the-clock busyness.
If you want to be at your best mentally, emotionally, and physically, protect your sleep – whether you need five hours or 12.
Can’t sleep? Try creating bedtime rituals for happier, healthier sleep.
