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AIBU?

How long do you sleep at night?

185 replies

missbluex · 15/10/2022 19:45

Posting for traffic, how long do you sleep at night?

I’m studying full time for a degree and managing a part time job whilst often caring for my elderly father. I need around 10 hours each night but my DP complains it’s too much?!

Baffles me how some manage on 6 hours of less!

OP posts:
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shortpeopleproblems · 15/10/2022 21:41

5-6 hours weeknights, 7ish weekends. I work late evening/up early and prefer some downtime before going to bed.

I definitely should go to bed earlier but faff around on the way. I also have to snooze in the morning - my alarm is set 30-40 minutes before I need to get up, because I can't get myself up otherwise - I need time to adjust to being awake and getting out of bed 😂 But I'm aware it means less sleep and isn't ideal.

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Thirdsummerofourdiscontent · 15/10/2022 21:46

I can function for long periods on 5 but 7 is my sweet spot anything over 8 and I feel hungover and headachey the next day.

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Derrymum123 · 15/10/2022 21:48

Between 5 and 6 hours. Maybe 7 for a lie in at the weekend, but not that often. Cannot stay in bed once awake, definitely a morning person.

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AlwaysLatte · 15/10/2022 21:49

Usually only about 7 hours at night but I get a sneaky hour nap sometimes when the children are at school (mostly not though, as I feel guilty about gardening/cleaning/washing etc that needs doing!)

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Firstworldprobs · 15/10/2022 21:52

7 hrs on weeknights - I need more but also love being alone in my living room with zero demands between 10pm and midnight!

My kids are older (9 and 13) and lie in themselves now (HALLELUJAH) so at weekends I get my earplugs in and have been known to sleep for 14 hours.

I work full time in a busy job, have a chronic illness and also both boys have SEN, so my one weekend lie in is what keeps me sane!

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Mybestyear · 15/10/2022 21:52

AhmenGwendolyn · 15/10/2022 20:33

Just wanted to say, I love your post, enjoy your sleep and sobriety!

@AhmenGwendolyn - thanks!!

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teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/10/2022 21:55

I would like to get about 9 I think as this morning for example I woke up around 9 and went to sleep last night around 11. But I think I wouldn't get that every night. I'd say I usually get about 7 but would like 8-9

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Narwhaleahoy · 15/10/2022 21:57

when allowed to get into a natural rhythm, 10.30pm-7.00am (8.5hrs) is perfect.
Sadly, with DH’s addiction to late night TV; DCats’ insistence on sleeping, and scrapping, with us; 1am wee; 2am existentialist terrors; 5.30am Alexia alarm (as DH fondly imagines he is a morning person); 6.15 am finally kicking DH out of bed; 6.30am being presented with the DCats’ trackers to put on as they utterly refuse to let DH do it and howl loudly, once fed, for release; I’m already exhausted by 7am and probably get around 5 hours on average.
I have EVERY sympathy with parents of small children and fully understand why sleep deprivation is a form of torture.

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America12 · 15/10/2022 22:00

tiger2691 · 15/10/2022 21:24

Bad night 3 - 7, I suffer from sleep clinic diagnosed hyper-arousal insomnia.

Is there a treatment ? Did you go private for your diagnosis? I'm at my wits end.

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StarDolphins · 15/10/2022 22:04

I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow & have 6.5-7 hrs each night. Unbroken & when I wake up, it’s like I’ve had an anaesthetic- literally could be burgled & I would t wake up :(

I would feel seriously groggy after 10 hours, plus I like to be up & enjoying the day!

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Travelbunny · 15/10/2022 22:05

I have 8-9 hours broken sleep. I wake up a lot. So I think if you are like me and wake up a lot throughout the night, 10 hours isn’t that much.

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Lcb123 · 15/10/2022 22:07

About 8, although I feel fine on 7. I actually feel worse if I sleep for much longer than 8 hours. 10 hours seems a lot

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Tanktanktank · 15/10/2022 22:07

Do you really need ten hours or is that what you think you need. the only reason I ask is because a few years ago I felt awful every morning, I was sure I wasn’t sleeping well and having thought that expected to be not feeling my best.

I mentioned it to a friend who had felt similar and had got a gadget to monitor her sleep during the night. I got one too, I found out I was having a good nights sleep and I immediately felt better during the day even though I was having less sleep than I was convinced I needed.

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RainLover · 15/10/2022 22:08

10 is my ideal too. 8 is my minimum. I always prioritise sleep as I function so much better for it.

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CuriousCatfish · 15/10/2022 22:09

Average about 7 but I can cope fine on 6.

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Somethingsnappy · 15/10/2022 22:11

7 or 8 hours. I can get by on 5 or 6 as long as it's not days in a row. If I get 7 hours, with only one interruption from toddler, I feel good.

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DelilahBucket · 15/10/2022 22:13

I function best on 8, but usually 6 1/2-7 1/2. If it's solid I'm okay although definitely not in my optimum mode on that amount.
The problem in this house is DH functions on a lot less than me, and he is up for work early. Once he's up, I don't go back to sleep, even though I can stay in bed for another 40 minutes. Really, I need that extra 40 minutes, but I don't get it. Due to DH snoring while he awaits surgery, we are currently in separate rooms. We tried with me sleeping in the spare room and I could stay asleep for that extra 40 minutes, but I wasn't sleeping solidly in that room, for various reasons. So now I'm back in our room with him in the spare room, where I sleep solidly, but am up earlier. I feel better on quality over quantity.

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Beachhuts90 · 15/10/2022 22:13

As a fresher I remember a uni professor telling us to not get less than 6 hours. That works well for me, 6-7 hours most nights. A little more on weekends.

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AIIyMcBeal · 15/10/2022 22:22

Is this a competitive under sleeping thread? Lol peak Mumsnet

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CuriousCatfish · 15/10/2022 22:23

I don't know many adults who sleep for 10 hours a night.

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thenightsky · 15/10/2022 22:27

between 6 and 8 depending on DH's snoring. Once a week or 10 days I'll be out for the count for 10 to 14 hours in catch up mode.

When I was a teen/20s I could sleep for a day (24 hours) once in a while as a catch up. I remember going to work as a student nurse on the ward and the nurse in charge saying 'where were you yesterday?'. Apparently I'd missed a whole day out of my life sleeping!

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jazzandh · 15/10/2022 22:29

7 for a good night, but can function on 5 plus long term with no problem. Can go lower on occasion with no I'll effect. I am not a good sleeper but luckily don't need alot of sleep. Kids the same.

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justcallmebozo · 15/10/2022 22:44

Whereland · 15/10/2022 19:51

Eh, I've got three hound children under 4 so generally a broken 5-6 hours max. Sleep as much as you want.

I want one! They sound so cute. Do they make good pets?


I usually fall asleep really quickly, get around 6 hours of good sleep, and then another hour or two dozing on and off. I quite like it like this, it's like having a really long lay in every morning.

Hardly ever feel tired during the day now, but when i was in my thirties i'd sleep 9 hours or more and still struggle to get up on time.

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Upwiththelark76 · 15/10/2022 22:48

6 and it works for me ! Even on weekends I get 6. I wear a fit bit and my sleep score is always excellent . 💤💤💤

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toogoodforthisworld · 15/10/2022 23:00

If I eat before bed (High carbs/ fatty stuff) I need 9 hours sleep.. if I eat some fruit or nothing at all then I can handle 6 (maybe a bit grumpy until after I've had coffee though lol)

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