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How many hours do you usually sleep at night?

103 replies

Lovearestfulsleep · 12/02/2026 07:10

Morning all.

Is it normal that as you get older, you get less sleep or have sleepless nights?
I go to bed around 11ish, but for the last few days, I've been waking up multiple times during the night. I can't go to bed early, or I will be tossing and turning.. I'm not sure if I should take anything.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 12/02/2026 07:12

Between 4 and 6 hours, have 2 young DC and also struggle with sleep myself.

Thesofathatwas · 12/02/2026 07:14

perimenopause and now (hopefully) menopause means I average between 4-5 hours sleep a night.

I deep cleaned my bathroom at 5am after being awake since 4am. Gearing up to the day at work now. I work full time.

It’s utterly utterly shit and has been going on for around 4 years.

LesserSootyOwl · 12/02/2026 07:15

Yes, I think it is normal (but annoying). I go to sleep easily but I'm always up at least once in the night. Some nights I go straight back to sleep, others I struggle. I used to just sleep through every night! I'm perimenopausal btw.

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PotteryChuck · 12/02/2026 07:17

I usually get 8-9 hours.

I need a good solid 8 hours sleep to function!

99pwithaflake · 12/02/2026 07:18

7-8 hours but that’s only recent - I’m on medication that helps me sleep (a side effect but a very nice one!) and wear Loops to bed.

PriscillaD · 12/02/2026 07:19

I go to bed around midnight and usually wake around 6am - either because I need a wee or because other family members are getting up. I find it hard to get back to sleep these days.
Even on a weekend or holiday, I would be surprised to sleep until 8am.I don't always get up immediately though. I like to sit with a cup of tea and mumsnet or the news sites.

Pepperedpickles · 12/02/2026 07:19

About 6 hours. 45 with chronic autoimmune issues which cause me joint pains and been in early menopause since 37. Drives me crazy I can’t sleep longer.

ACommonTreasuryForAll · 12/02/2026 07:21

Teacher, so always working late. Usually 4-5 hours. It socks.

TimeForATerf · 12/02/2026 07:22

Age 59, I no longer have a normal. Last night I slept from 9pm until 2am, I’ve been awake ever since.

Last week I was so tired I slept for ten hours straight.

This is typical for me, weeks of waking in the night then the odd uninterrupted long sleep.

Plasticdreams · 12/02/2026 07:22

I need 8 but get 6 on a good day because of the children. I recommend melatonin.

Nannyfannybanny · 12/02/2026 07:23

5 hours of I'm lucky. I retired 10 years ago from 30 years of night nursing.. occasionally I sleep one hour (that was my break at work) then awake for the next 3) I bought countless books, Michael Mosley who said "if you aren't asleep within 10 minutes,get up and do something else until you get tired". I've never gone to sleep in 10 minutes in my life, I did get up, but then went into "Nightshift" mode, couldn't sleep. I had acupuncture, the practitioner said I'm not trying to get to sleep,my body is trying to stay awake. Told me to sleep in the day. I'm 75 apart from COVID once in 2023, I haven't had a cough,cold, norovirus,inspire of having the dogs, when they've been ill,and DH. I go spates when I actually can't sleep at all,or very little. So I don't worry about it. I do have a brain that won't switch off. Last book I bought Nick Littlehayes, Sleep Coach,followed , bedroom all white, but not the only furniture being your bed...no other room for wardrobes.

Plump82 · 12/02/2026 07:23

Probably 4-5 but that's interrupted at least twice for me to go to the toilet. I go to bed early but can get to sleep until at least 11. Last night I was awake till 2. I'm exhausted!! And it's showing!

Smartiepants79 · 12/02/2026 07:23

Around 6-7 hours on a good day. Often more like 5. Have had periods of insomnia and find it unusual if I manage to go back to sleep once awake.

Nannyfannybanny · 12/02/2026 07:24

If I am tired and go to bed before 11, I wake up ridiculously early,it doesn't work for me.

beAsensible1 · 12/02/2026 07:25

6-7 hours. I get in for 10 to sleep for 11ish.

low light, audiobook or chit chat.

magnesium tea if I’m feeling wired. Sleep masks and black out curtains.

socks1107 · 12/02/2026 07:26

A good night is six and I can function on 3. It’s horrible but I’ve learnt to live with it the last year

Lovearestfulsleep · 12/02/2026 07:26

I'm perimenopausal too. Oh and an autoimmune disease. Not good..
I'm thinking about going to a pharmacy for sleeping meds, but I'm worried about the side effects.

OP posts:
WeepingAngelInTheTardis · 12/02/2026 07:28

About four, five hours maximum. I don’t need much sleep I am also awake with ds in that time too.

99pwithaflake · 12/02/2026 07:31

Lovearestfulsleep · 12/02/2026 07:26

I'm perimenopausal too. Oh and an autoimmune disease. Not good..
I'm thinking about going to a pharmacy for sleeping meds, but I'm worried about the side effects.

Have you tried herbal remedies?

OSTMusTisNT · 12/02/2026 07:33

In bed at 1am, was still reading my book at 3am this morning and up at 7am. I pretty much survive during the week and sleep at the weekend.

In my younger days, I was in bed at 10pm at the latest and up at 7am. This peri middle aged phase is rubbish.

YouDriveMeCrazyButICanDoThatMyself · 12/02/2026 07:34

Thesofathatwas · 12/02/2026 07:14

perimenopause and now (hopefully) menopause means I average between 4-5 hours sleep a night.

I deep cleaned my bathroom at 5am after being awake since 4am. Gearing up to the day at work now. I work full time.

It’s utterly utterly shit and has been going on for around 4 years.

Same. I’m into my 8th year of crappy sleep.
There are times I do a 10 hour shift after waking up at 3:30am and Im already exhausted by the time my work shift starts. I’m too knackered to socialise or have any kind of life.

OP high strength magnesium before bed may help.

Zippedydodah · 12/02/2026 07:39

I need 9 hours, I get between 5 and 10 hours sometimes less if my restless legs take over.
I have arthritis in my feet and ankles so that doesn’t help.
I take magnesium but I’m not convinced it does anything.

greencheetah · 12/02/2026 07:42

I’m in my sixties and usually sleep at least nine hours.

CluelessAboutBiology · 12/02/2026 07:43

5 hours if I’m lucky, but I need much more.

SatsumaDog · 12/02/2026 07:44

8-9, but I doubt it’s good quality as I always feel knackered. Haven’t slept well since starting perimenopause unfortunately.

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