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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think some people don't prioritise sleep enough?

156 replies

Hadtocomment · 15/12/2021 16:26

Reading the other thread where various posters seemed to be getting somewhat competitive about how early they get up etc. I was genuinely curious as to if people getting up seriously early also go to bed really early. We know sleep is important to health and people maybe need different amounts too. I was also taken aback by judgemental comments implying that the op should look at her diet and exercise if she was needing so much sleep as though enjoying sleep was some sort of health problem! So I just wondered. How much sleep do you need/get? And those getting up super early are you going to bed super early too to get enough hours or do you naturally not need much sleep?

myself I reckon I need around 8 and a half to 9 hrs to feel optimum and I've always been like this. I can manage on a bit less for some days but catches up with me and have to make it up at some point.

(I understand those with small children may be getting a lot less sleep for a while or broken up sleep and don't want this thread to be ignorant towards those struggling with sleep as I know that can be really tough. )

OP posts:
Bubblty · 15/12/2021 16:27

I always feel so much better when I get 8 hours

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/12/2021 16:28

I definitely don’t get enough sleep. I have a skin condition that stops me sleeping unless I spend a long time “taming” it before bed. I also lean massively towards the night owl end of the spectrum as it is.

rubyslippers · 15/12/2021 16:28

I do not get anywhere near good amounts of sleep
I may average 4-5 hours in a block plus broken sleep after that
I can’t remember the last time I slept after 5.30 am or got woken by my alarm
Sleep has been ruined by years of non sleeping kids, health issues and now peri menopause
I wish I could sleep

hellosunshineagainx · 15/12/2021 16:28

I need 8-9 but only get around wix because of work and children. One day I will get back to 8-9 hours 😅

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/12/2021 16:29

Posted too soon - I have to get up for school runs which means I often don’t get much more than 6 hours - I reckon I also could do with 9 ideally. Like you OP, I do need to make it up at some point as I get sick otherwise

ImJustMum · 15/12/2021 16:31

Im a night owl but i like my sleep, unfortunately i work the late/night shift around my DC so i have 2 nights a week im home and in bed at 3am and up for school run at 7am. Then im awake for nearly a full 24 hours working my night shift another day in the week, i get home at 6am and sleep until lunch time. I burn out horribly and im exhausted but i can only do what i can do

LethargicActress · 15/12/2021 16:31

I’m a much more happy and efficient person if I’ve had nine hours, and I agree that good sleep is underrated. Even people that struggle with sleep don’t talk about it much, despite how difficult it must be.

vodkaredbullgirl · 15/12/2021 16:32

I know I don't get enough sleep, work night shifts. When I have work I
get about 3-4 hours sleep, between shifts. My nights off I get about 7 hours sleep.

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/12/2021 16:32

I am unwell on less than 10 hours.

user1477249785 · 15/12/2021 16:33

I get up at 530. Consequently, I go to bed before 9. Sleep is really important!

Iggly · 15/12/2021 16:34

Well I get enough sleep by going to bed earlier, not sleeping in the mornings 😂

When I don’t, it’s because I’ve pissed about late at night.

Bagelsandbrie · 15/12/2021 16:36

I’d love to sleep more. I think sleep is very healing for your body. I get around 5.5 hours which isn’t enough- Ds with autism wakes me up and I have a lot of joint pain from lupus.

Original poster
Hadtocomment · 15/12/2021 16:36

Imjustmum that sounds really tough! So hard when its not possible to get a constant pattern too. I hope you get to make it up on other days. And rubyslippers I feel for you too. Hormones seem to play havoc with sleep don't they? It's rotten to feel tired but just still not sleep. I hope it improves for you.

I suppose unlike many I was thinking the other thread sounded a good arrangement. Attention from both parents at different times and people getting enough sleep! I do think we don't prioritise sleep enough sometimes. We talk of exercise and health or whatever but when it comes to sleep people get all judgy rather than seeing that equally as an important thing for health and well-being.

OP posts:
oviraptor21 · 15/12/2021 16:39

I'm a night owl. Rarely in bed before midnight. Sometimes I'm forced to get up at 6am which I don't like. I'm better at around 7-8am.
I average about 6½ to 7 hours a night which is just about right. I do try to get to bed a but earlier if I know I have to be up early.

MargaretThursday · 15/12/2021 16:40

I used to not need a lot of sleep and then I had glandular fever and don't do well on less than 8 hours.
What I've also notices is no matter what time I go to bed, I feel far better if I get up after 8 rather than before 8. Unfortunately term time I leave the house before 8.

DeepaBeesKit · 15/12/2021 16:40

I probably could do with more than I get but equally I'm not one of these people who needs loads. I function well on 7 hours a night.

Original poster
Hadtocomment · 15/12/2021 16:41

Iggly just wondered how much people generally needed? How many hours do you need?

OP posts:
QueenLagertha · 15/12/2021 16:46

I'm sleeping by 10:30 most nights. Sometimes earlier. Up around 7. Fitbit says I sleep approx 8hrs (excluding wake up minutes throughout the night). I feel so fresh. DS is nearly 4 and a great sleeper. Often sleeps in until 8/8:30 at the wend. However...I am due another baby in April. Can't say I'm looking forward to sleep deprivation again. I really struggled last time.

Cam2020 · 15/12/2021 16:51

I get around 6 but 7 is optimal. Too much sleep leaves me with a hungover feeling, too little makes me crabby and feeling negative. It's a fine balance.

Iggly · 15/12/2021 16:51

@Hadtocomment

Iggly just wondered how much people generally needed? How many hours do you need?
It depends. For me, about 8 hours but more if I’m doing way more exercise than normal (eg training for a half marathon).
Iggly · 15/12/2021 16:51

So if I’m asleep by 10pm, getting up at 6am is no issue for me.

GarlandsinGreece · 15/12/2021 16:52

I only need seven hours to feel superb. I generally fall asleep at 11.30 and get up at 6.30. I don’t drink caffeine, either, and usually feel sprightly enough at that hour to make my kids breakfast and then go to the gym.

LaurieFairyCake · 15/12/2021 16:55

Lol

You enjoy your 8 hours while you can OP - I've not slept 8 hours in five years

Just... peri menopause Angry

I haven't set an alarm for years as I never wake after 6.30 and last week I had a run of 4.30's (which is just shit)

Was even worse before HRT

latetothefisting · 15/12/2021 16:56

I love sleeping so if I'm left alone can easily sleep for hours, however I don't notice any benefit for sleeping more than 7hours.

I agree that early birds are weirdly judgy about people getting up later in the morning, but then don't like night owls pointing out that 9pm (or even earlier!) is a bedtime for children, not adults...

A good thing about WFH is working hours can be juggled in a lot of places to fit in with people's lifestyles and sleep patterns.

NMC2022 · 15/12/2021 16:56

I'm shattered. I get between 4 and 5 and sometimes manage an hour or two nap