NPR says we all need to go back to bed and stop bragging how little sleep we need.

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  Jan 17, 2008 1:32 PM GMT

  I heard an interesting segment on NPR this morning about sleep. Several specialists argued that most of us don't get enough, partly because it's become a badge of honor to only sleep five or six hours a night.
  
  People assume they are just as productive, if not more so, if their sleep is abbreviated.
  
  I think the main researcher quoted said the average is about 7 hours, which is not enough for most people. She said people become habituated to the effects of sleep deprivation.
  
  Personally, I feel lucky if I get 7 hours but often end up needing to "catch up" on weekends.
  
  What's your sleep schedule like?
  
  You can read or hear the NPR piece here:
  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18155047
  
  

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• BlackJock79
  
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  Jan 17, 2008 1:39 PM GMT

  I try and get at least 7... Sometimes it's around 6 though. I work 2 jobs and after I get off of the second one I go to the gym. I also have to get up early so I can do my morning workout in my apartment. My job is only 5 minutes away though, so if I wanted to skip my morning workout and sleep for an extra hour I could. I try very hard to be in the bed by 11pm and I usually wake up around 6am.

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:10 PM GMT

  i usually get around 7, 7 and a half. though lateley i've a lot on my mind and can't get beyond about 5. not good. got a few things to sort out and then hopefully back to normal.

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• art_smass
  
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  Jan 17, 2008 3:18 PM GMT

  I've always been able to sleep like I'm dead for about eight hours a night. It's usually a little less in summer and a little more in winter. I sleep until I need to get up.
  
  I understand the "badge of honor" idea. I know people who get no sleep and then ask me why I'm so energetic and productive while I'm awake. I explain that my sleeping habits have a lot to do with it. However, they dismiss the notion that a good night's sleep is an investment in the day to come.
  
  Oh well. I'll dance on their graves!

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:20 PM GMT

  I haven't slept in 8 ye

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• art_smass
  
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  Jan 17, 2008 3:29 PM GMT

  Menopause will do that.

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:33 PM GMT

  dakuk saidi usually get around 7, 7 and a half. though lateley i've a lot on my mind and can't get beyond about 5. not good. got a few things to sort out and then hopefully back to normal.

  
  They make pills for that.

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:33 PM GMT

  I get about 8 hrs of sleep a night. I'll pretty much wake up after that amount no matter what time it is unless i have been sleep deprived.
  
  I didn't really think this was new news, but maybe it is for some people. Also, they say that you can't really catch up on your sleep or store sleep either.

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:37 PM GMT

  art_smass saidI've always been able to sleep like I'm dead for about eight hours a night. It's usually a little less in summer and a little more in winter. I sleep until I need to get up.

  
  
  

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:42 PM GMT

  Man I love NPR. I wish I could still listen to it.
  
  Oh yeah... I sleep 8 hours each night. My bedtime is around 9 or 10. That way i can wake up early. I love mornings.

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:43 PM GMT

  Ever since I finished my last semester of undergrad this fall I've been trying to get at least 7.5 (supposedly sleep cycles are around 90 minutes, so I try and schedule my sleep so that I wake up at the end of a 90 minute cycle). The problem is that I haven't been able to sleep through the night for about a month and a half now. I always wake up at least once or twice. I know it's because I'm eating too close to the time I go to sleep, but my screwed up work schedule (working from 4:30-9:00 in the evenings) makes it nigh impossible to eat a meal earlier in the evening. It's really starting to fuck with me, because I'm always tired and so I skip the gym a lot, as well as neglecting things I need to get done.
  
  I have no doubt that particular NPR story is spot on, since I have really been feeling the effects of poor sleep. Damn you NPR and your constant correctness!

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:43 PM GMT

  McGay saidI haven't slept in 8 ye

  
  
  

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  Jan 17, 2008 3:48 PM GMT

  Chewey_Delt saidIt's really starting to fuck with me, because I'm always tired and so I skip the gym a lot, as well as neglecting things I need to get done.

  
  
  

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• jc_online
  
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  Jan 17, 2008 3:53 PM GMT

  I heard that same segment this morning.
  
  I usually aim for 7 hours of sleep during the week. I am also not afraid of the snooze button - I use it most every morning to get that extra 9 minutes.
  
  At least one of the weekend days I try to always sleep in. Or if I get up early, go back to bed for a couple hours in the morning. A lot of times I'll get up at 7am on a Saturday, turn on NPR, and go back to bed and listen to it as I doze in and out of sleep for a couple hours.
  

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:16 PM GMT

  My understanding is that both too little sleep and too much sleep are equally bad for you, just in different ways.
  
  Those that sleep just a wee bit less than a full night's sleep tend to be more productive and alert than those that sleep a wee bit more than a full night's sleep.
  
  Biologically we have a ~13 hour cycle for our bodies. It doesn't fit perfectly in a 24 hour day thus we will have a night where we slip our rhythm slightly to get back on track. Most people do that on the weekend.
  
  The lack of sleep usually makes or bodies appear to age faster and look less than fresh. The abundance of sleep causes our bodies to re-enter a sleep cycle and thus we are somewhat lethargic during the day but our bodies have had plenty of time to rebuild and refresh.
  
  Personally I have always loved my sleep and I usually wake up when my body is ready to. I don't like staying in bed until noon on Saturdays, nor do I like setting the alarm clock to wake up for work days. When I let my body rhythm set it's own alarm clock and abide by it, I find that I am well rested and energetic through the entire week.
  
  A part of me wants to attribute my more-than-average youthful appearance and health to my sleep patterns.
  
  Numerous studies have shown that a lack of sleep generally impairs various aspects of our development and life. It may be purely coincidental that I'm more healthy, youthful, and energetic than the typical 38yo male. But 'tis your life to live and your choices to make about when to set that alarm clock

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:21 PM GMT

  FirefighterBlu3 saidA part of me wants to attribute my more-than-average youthful appearance and health to my sleep patterns.

  
  Me too.
  

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:35 PM GMT

  i used to manage about an average of 2-3 hours/day. finally saw a white coat and after many tests was diagnosed with chronic persistent insomnia. now i'm on medication and get 8-9hrs/day - i'm in heaven!
  
  my body's reaction - heck, my overall health, has significantly improved
  
  btw, there is no such thing as "catch up" sleep, the body simply doesn't work that way
  
  

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:36 PM GMT

  gosh, I call in sick today cause I hardly sleep last night. I have less then 1 hr sleep.

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:37 PM GMT

  What medication did your doc prescribe, jaydub?

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:41 PM GMT

  I average 8 or 9 hours. I'm strict on my bedtime or I cant help but to hate the world the next day.

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:43 PM GMT

  I used to go days without sleeping. Unlike Maggie Thatcher, I couldn't get anything done with so little sleep. Like Maggie Thatcher, it made me a frigged bitch.
  
  Thankfully that part of my life is passed and god I love getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

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  Jan 17, 2008 4:50 PM GMT

  I read a study several years ago that going for multiple days without sleep can permanently alter your temperament for the worse. Going for several days obviously can cause severe issues.

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• gr8hands4you
  
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  Jan 17, 2008 5:01 PM GMT

  I have lived with sleep problems my whole life and use to get about 4 and then I was up and about. Im ADD an ADHD and now almost 55 yrs old. I also suffer at times with insomnia. I have always had an lot of enrgy or drive. What works for on person doesnt always work for another. I agree it is not wise to sleep deprive oneself. I am now on Prozac which increases my sleep time and I feel more rested. I still suffer at times with the insomnia and when I go 2 or 3 days with inadequite or no sleep I will take a perscibed medication and that will do the trick and put me back on track with sleep. This is a very interesting and important subject. Also notable that stress and mood also drive your sleep or lack there of. There is so much to be said for restful uninterupted sleep.

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  Jan 17, 2008 5:27 PM GMT

  I had insomnia over christmas, and it was a good thing no one was around because I got angry at EVERYTHING. I couldn't even read a book without my eyes rolling in constant disdain.
  
  That's over with now. I used to need 10 hours of sleep before I woke up naturally, but I was exerting myself a lot during the day. It is still about 9. I figure when you are a giant ogre, your body needs more time to fix itself.

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  Jan 17, 2008 5:35 PM GMT

  I've found out that seven hours for me is just right because of my REM sleep cycle. Eight hours, I feel a little groggy, and six I'm tired.

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