How much sleep do you need?

[DizzyBinary]

Moonhero said:
If I get 5 hours, I'm lucky.

You almost certainly have a sleep related disorder, and should seek to get a sleep study if possible. Either that, or you have terrible sleep hygiene. Just looking into a sleep study wouldn't hurt though. It can reveal a lot of helpful information to augment/repair your sleep issues.

 

Bristow9091 said:

DizzyBinary said: 

In response to everyone who claims that they "don't need" 6 hours of sleep:

You may feel fine now, and you may feel fine in 5 years. But you will not feel fine later on in life when things catch up to you. It isn't healthy to get under 6 hours of sleep, no matter what you "think" you can handle/need. 

It is normal in today's world for a large portion of the population to get 5 hours of sleep. But just because something is normal, doesn't mean something is healthy. I would suggest trying to achieve AT LEAST 6 hours of sleep per night. Even though 6 - 6 1/2 hours can be just as unhealthy for some people. Optimally you would want to get 7-8, but that isn't realistic due to tight schedules/life/etc. 

Oh I know I definitely need more sleep, I just can't actually get more than I currently do... my last post in here was at 5am this morning, I then went to bed and woke up in time to be at work for 8am, and I just finished at 6pm... didn't affect me during work and I do actually feel fine, but I know it's not healthy. Unfortunately I've tried correcting my sleeping pattern multiple times over the last few years, but all attempts have been unsuccessful.

I'd actually love to be able to get eight hours every night, I bet it feels amazing lol :P

This may be a problem related to sleep hygiene or environmental factors preventing sleep. Although in many cases a problem like yours can also be respiratory issues preventing continuous sleep. Respiratory issues such as sleep apnea are very common and deadly when left untreated.

Risk of stroke and heart attack rise significantly. There are arguments supporting the theory that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is more harmful than cigarette smoking. Looking in to a sleep study could be very beneficial for you.