To think I'm not lazy, I just need a lot more sleep than the average person?

[isthisnormalll]

I sleep around 7.5-8 hours on weekdays, and I get up at the last possible moment at 8:30am, so not even ridiculously early. But on weekends I need at least one of the days to be a lie in otherwise I am exhausted. Today I slept 12 hours, and woke up at 12:30pm. When I have time off work, I will sleep naturally 10-12 hours a night everyday - even for weeks on end. On holidays with other people I have sometimes been close to tears because the sleep is not enough despite us all getting back to the hotel the same time and waking up at the same time.

I have always been like this, I don't have children (everyone tells me I'll change if I have children and get used to having no sleep). No health conditions, no sleep apnoea, etc.

AIBU to think that some people do genuinely need more sleep than others?

If you’re regularly needing 12 hours of sleep a night, it might be worth looking into why. While everyone’s sleep needs are different, most adults feel rested with 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleeping significantly longer, like 10-12 hours, can sometimes be linked to health issues, and studies have found that consistently excessive sleep may be associated with an increased risk of health problems and even higher mortality rates.

Women typically need more sleep than men. I’m a night owl and an early riser and I average 6 hours a night, my husband is tired earlier, so he is more of a 8-9 hours a night. Neither wrong, just different sleep needs.

You do realise that there are 24 hours in a day, right?

I adore sleep. You can't eat junk food, spend money, drink booze, smoke, make mess or chat bollocks. And it's good for your skin and body! The healthiest hobby I can think of! 🤣

I adore it when I can sleep for 12 hours. If I sleep badly or are forced to wake up too early I feel nauseous and absolutely batshit. I feel I genuinely need at least 9 hours.

Sometimes I even nap for two hours in the early evening.

So don't feel guilty, be happy you can sleep well and comfortably. X

I need so much sleep. I would wake up at 10am if I didn't set an alarm for work. And still have an afternoon nap. I've always been a high sleep needs person.
And no, its not as simple as just going to bed earlier and reading a book... I've tried every trick, tip, vitamin etc

I need a huge amount of sleep and always have. I don't give a damn what anyone thinks about that. I'm simply not fussed. It's my sleep and I'm bloody having it (and loving it!)

Women actually do need more sleep than men. The "recommended" 7-8 hours is based on men, but our bodies work so hard creating hormones etc that most women would benefit more from 9-10 hours a night.

However, I'm sure many women can and do cope perfectly well on less sleep.

I find I am at my best if I get 9-10 hours, but it's not unheard of for me to sleep 12+ hours once a month or so. I feel better, but then feel like I have wasted an entire morning when I could be doing stuff. That said, I mostly get 5-6 hours because I really struggle to fall asleep and have to be up early for work.

My suggestion would be going up to bed between 9pm and 10pm, reading for an hour and then you should fall asleep before midnight.

I need a good 9/10 solid hours to feel fully reenergised.
This week after Xmas & new year I fell asleep Wednesday night and didn't wake till Friday morning 🤗 I love my sleep & can't not function or interact without it.

Blimey! My bladder would not allow that at all !!

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel I think I only woke because I was thirsty & needed the loo 😬

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel 🤣🤣

What's the old saying, something about an hour of sleep before midnight is worth 2 after. Maybe try going to bed a little earlier. I do like my sleep too, but I actually feel better for getting up at a sensible time rather than staying in bed.

I am usually asleep by 10 at the latest and if I don’t set an alarm I will sleep for nine hours. Last night I slept for 12 hours but I think I must have needed the extra.

If eight hours is the average, then it stands to reason that some will need more and some less.

Before I had children I was the same OP and would regularly get in 10 hours a night. Children changed everything 😂

I'm the same as you. Even as a baby my mum said she had to wake me up in the morning.

All my life I have absolutely hated getting up early. I used to say it felt like being born! Premenopause was hell for me in many ways, but waking at 4am every morning, desperate for sleep was a particular low.

I’m a lot like you by preference. That’s the sort of sleep I’d like to be getting.

Unfortunately I have to get up earlier than I’d like so tend to run at a deficit.

I don’t think what you have in the week is a lot , it’s just you’re having it later than many people in a world set up for larks. If someone went to bed at 10 and got up at 6.30 everyone would say how virtuous they are!

Me too! My Mum said I used to sleep 10-10 as a baby once I’d got past the very newborn stage - luckily I’m an eldest child and i could- and she could too!

I was anemic for years - but not 'diagnosed' until it was bad. I'd get treatment if I were you as the clinical guidelines for it were based on men from the 1960s. Women are far more likely to be anemic. It changed my life! I still sleep long, but I now have energy!