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How many hours sleep a night do you need?

71 replies

CrackersCheeseAndWinePlease · 24/02/2023 06:39

I need around 6 or 7 hours sleep a night, last night I was asleep by 9.30 which admittedly is a bit early for me, lo and behold I was wide awake at 4.15. I finally gave up and got up at 5.30. I'm working today so I know I'll be tired early tonight which means I'll be awake early again tomorrow. DH can sleep for 10+ hours a night if he's not working. I need to break the cycle of waking so early but find it difficult to stay awake late on an evening.

OP posts:
anonymous98 · 24/02/2023 16:35

I don't have children but I've genuinely worried about how I would cope with the sleep deprivation. My parents got no sleep for about the first 2 years of my life and I'm sure it contributed to their marriage breaking up.

Johnisafckface · 24/02/2023 16:36

These days I go thru spells of needing 7 or 8 hours (usually broken sleep as I never sleep thru the night). Or needing not much. Which currently I'm going thru some personal stuff so I've been living off about 4-5 hours of sleep for the past couple of months.

When I was in my late 30s/early 40s I only need 4 hours but now that I'm in my 50s I find for the most part I need at least 5 hours total.

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 24/02/2023 16:38

6 hours; don't know why just can't sleep longer than that.

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SallyWD · 24/02/2023 16:42

I really feel better if I have 8. I often have 7 and it's OK but I don't feel great. If I have less than 7 I'm just exhausted all day.

Inkpotlover · 24/02/2023 16:51

It used to be a solid eight but since I got older (early fifties) it's now six to seven on a good night.

VioletladyGrantham · 24/02/2023 18:18

10 hours starting around 8.30, and also an hour at 4pm.

familyissues12345 · 24/02/2023 18:48

8 is about perfect for me, realistically I get 7 hours - sometimes a bit broken

DidyouNO · 24/02/2023 19:05

6-7 hrs but can manage pretty well on 3-4 hours. I had a son who didn't sleep for the first three years of his life so now my brain doesn't deep sleep well.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 24/02/2023 19:11

8 is good and what I’d have if left to my own devices. In reality I get that around once a month and 5 hours 24 mins is my current average, I get to bed around 1.30am most nights and alarm at 7am.

Silversalt · 24/02/2023 19:14

Ideally 9 but I can manage on 8.
I am 64 and still waiting for the needing less sleep as you get older phase.
Having said that I haven't had an unbroken nights sleep since I was pregnant in 1995. My bladder wakes me 2 or 3 times a night.
I struggled badly with those sleep deprived baby years and now I am retired the absolute best thing is no alarms.

Motnight · 24/02/2023 19:20

I often get by on around 6. But need another hour to feel OK. In my late 50s.

SunshineIndoors123 · 24/02/2023 19:32

7 - 8, ideally. Because of my 7 month old I currently get 3 or 4, 5ish on a good night.

orangetriangle · 24/02/2023 19:46

10 hours and a nap during the day
That being said I am up for the toilet two or three times in the night

Anonymouslyposting · 24/02/2023 19:46

I need 9 to feel at my best, anything more than 7 is ok. I currently have a newborn so realistically I get 3-4 for now.

themuminator · 24/02/2023 20:20

I need 8 and I get 8! No partner to wake me up with snoring. Older teenage kids, I leave them to it late at night and it is lights out for me at 11pm latest for me. 7am start.

Justputitdown · 24/02/2023 20:28

DidyouNO · 24/02/2023 19:05

6-7 hrs but can manage pretty well on 3-4 hours. I had a son who didn't sleep for the first three years of his life so now my brain doesn't deep sleep well.

Is this an actual scientific thing? 😵

rhowton · 24/02/2023 20:30

I need at least 9 hours. I am terrible without sleep. I can do one night of broken sleep, but anything more, I really struggle. My body genuinely aches and I'm very snappy.

TryingHard1990 · 24/02/2023 20:30

I can function well on very little. Which is good cos I have a 4 month old sleep thief!

ideally around 7-8 to live my best life’

Whyisitsososohard · 24/02/2023 20:56

8 to 9 I'd say. Can manage on 7 but will be knackered by bed time.

I love sleep and definitely don't get groggy from too much sleep.

lljkk · 24/02/2023 21:00

I function ok on what I get, 5-5.5, so I guess that's what I need.

Emmamoo89 · 24/02/2023 21:02

12

Emmamoo89 · 24/02/2023 21:03

And still a deep sleeper with my 10 month old. Thought it would change since having him. Nope

Emmamoo89 · 24/02/2023 21:04

Get between 8 and 10 hours thanks to baba sleeping through

Woodendonkey · 24/02/2023 21:06

9-9.5 is ideal for me. If I don’t set an alarm though I’ve slept for 13 or more hours by mistake. Dunno I guess I’m just tired!

Furrybutts · 24/02/2023 21:08

I used to be fine on 5 or 6 hours, but now in mid 50s I need 9 or 10.
Love daytime napping too, but rarely get chance for one of those.