How much sleep is too little?

[AInightingale]

Over the past six weeks or so, for reasons that are hard to get round, I have averaged about 5.5. hours sleep at night. I feel burned-out, tetchy and overwhelmed on a daily basis. However, I find it very hard to lie in at the weekend - when I sleep past about 8 am, I feel groggy and have a headache. My ideal sleep pattern would be between 10pm-6am. At the moment it is about 12.30 am -6 am, sometimes even less. Will I get ill if this continues? I have a disabled son who struggles to settle and gets up some nights, but also have to get other kids up for school. Today I feel light headed which is worrying me.

I used to be able to sleep 8/9 hours, and needed it, but since reaching peri menopause age I struggle to sleep longer than 7. Although that seems to be enough for me.

I manage on around 6 hours in the week, 11pm-5am and feel ok. I catch up a bit on the weekend though and sleep until around 9 am so that pushes my average up. If I had a choice I'd go to bed around midnight and get up at 10am. Could you go to bed a bit earlier to try to stretch it to 6 hours a night?

My understanding is 6 hours is minimum as I read health is affected after that ,heart health I mean
My dh only does 5 1/2 and he did have a heart attack he is also overweight though.
I get Aaround 7 and can't do lie ins.I often afternoon nap if I'm shattered though.

That's worrying yes I am a bit concerned about my heart health as well. Hope your husband is ok now @whatisforteamum Thanks for replies!

I’d suggest some magnesium, but that’s no help if you have to be up in the night for your child.

Is it all due to your DS waking or are you also struggling to get to sleep?

Usually I can manage 6/7 hours but that depends on if my toddler stirs during the night or not

I can sleep like a log! I feel uneasy about going to sleep when he is still awake and restless though.

6 hours is the minimum, preferably with the occasional longer sleep to properly recharge your batteries.

Everyone has different needs but it's difficult when you have work/children and can't just sleep as much as you need to.

For me, I am the typical 8 hours. More, I feel crap. Less, I feel crap.

Matthew Walkers book ‘Why we sleep’ was an eye opener. Worth a read and might encourage people to prioritise the opportunity to sleep.