How much sleep do you really need?

[Spongingbobsunderpants]

I'm asking because I was really looking forward to a lie in today (normally up with dcs every morning) but still woke up at the usual time and haven't been able to go back to sleep. I find whatever time I go to bed I still always sleep for no more than 7 hours, yet feel constantly tired during the day.

I've forgotten what it's like not to feel tired but when I get the chance to lie in or nap during the day, I can't.

Does anyone else have this issue?

I can't answer that. It's been so long since I've had the chance to just sleep until I wake that I've forgotten.

I find if I have more than five I'm okay. Under five for a while kills me (disabled child) but then I just go to bed earlier - eg at 8.30 one night - to try & catch up.

That info brought to you on 14 years experience - lol. Have tried various things but the early to bed when knackered works when nothing else does.

I can manage on 6 a night as standard. 7.5 is better. If I get less than 3 I really can't cope.

I need 8 hours - today kids slept in until 8 am which is a rare treat

When DD was waking every 3 hours for a feed until she was 6.5 months I was bone crushingly exhausted

Now I'm just tired (all the time)

I do realise that saying I have 7hours a sleep a night and still feel tired is not going to be popular with those who regularly have less but I'm just frustrated at not feeling like I'm functioning on all cylinders on the amount of sleep my body lets me have.

The other frustrating thing is that although I feel completely done in and exhausted by 7.30pm, once I have my meal and a bit of time to relax, I feel reasonably spritely for a couple of hours, which doesn't persuade me to have an early night. Even if I do, I still wake up stupidly early.

I generally wake between 6& 6.30 every day

I get up for work at 6.15 am though do my body clock is set to early

If you are eating late then perhaps that's it? What time do you usually have your meal?

ruby I love that when that happens but on the one off occasion dd2 slept in until nearly 9am, I couldn't lie for fear she had somehow died in her sleep. I had to prod her awake just to check

Ds1, who used to sleep until 7.30/8am on a regular basis, is now a much early riser and comes in with us in the morning. Dh barely even registers but I'm bang awake, lying there pretending that I'm not, desperately willing myself back to sleep, which never happens.

scientific it could very well be that - but the problem is I don't get home until 6pm. I don't finish bedtime with the dcs until 7.30pm and dh doesn't get home until at least 7.45pm so there's no option to eat any earlier.

I have no problem going to sleep - usual bed time is 10pm - it's just staying asleep is the issue.

If I don't get 4 straight hours during the night, I'm a zombie the next day.

Pre kids, I was 8 hrs minimium. Now, 7 with one wake (not right in the middle, or I'm awful), it pretty good.
7 straight hours, and I'm dancing.

9 hours. 8 hours has never been enough.

I think that rest is underrated. So when you wake in the morning but cant get back to sleep, dont worry about it. Just lie there and rest. And if you want to and can, stay resting for a couple of hours or however long you want to. It all helps a lot.

gold I agree. That's what I'm doing now.

Getting up early most days means I wake early on days I do not need to be up early. It's like the bodyclock gets programmed to automatically wake.

So I agree, rest is good. Just lay in bed. Make breakfast if you need to and take it to eat in bed. Read a book, watch a movie, do anything that you need to do to stay in bed, so are relaxed. Never know you may drift off to sleep for short periods.

But tbh, I meant resting, just lying there, without distractions. Perhaps I find it easier than most because I tend to naturally think a lot, so I just lie there, and my thoughts take me all over the place. And sometimes I drop off to sleep again.

9-10 makes me feel good.

7-8 is manageable.

Less than 6 hours am grumpy.

Less than 3 hours makes me ill.

The norm advised is 8 hours unbroken, but does depend on your amount of energy spent during the day, your fitness level and your ability to deal with stress. Too little sleep after a while will take its toll and you will know. Sitting uses less energy than standing and a quickie lie down helps many. Rushing around all day will exhaust you unless you are super fit and it gets worse as you get older.
I'm just off for my 40 winks in bed now after eating a cooked lunch < I'm getting on a bit now>