How much sleep do you guys get?

[takniteasy]

Just curious cause I just finished reading an article on the net that 8 or more hours means higher risk of earlier death. Now I have always tried to get my 8 hours but lately have felt better with 6.5 to 7 hours. Any more than that, I feel like I did not get enough, sometimes groggy and my reflexes seem to be off.

How about you guys?

 

[SteelWeaver]

Not enough Between 5.5 and 6.5. But about 10 on weekends

Apparently women need more sleep than men.

 

[hardbdygrl]

Definitly not enough!

 

[Gladiola]

6.5 - 7.5 during the week. 7-9 on the weekends.

I've read so many different things. Often read that studies show 7-8 hours per night is great & you are healthier if you get that. Also heard that sleep requirements are pre-determined, some need 7, some need 9.

I do know that it IS important to your recovery to get it though! ONE time I lifted on only 5 hours (I rarely get less than 6) & my lifts were HORRIBLE! Everything else was in check, diet was on, my head was in it, my strength was no where to be found. Had to be the lack of sleep. (Was out at the RUSH concert the night before! )

 

[MS]

Yes, I remember that study. It was pretty confusing because it really only looked at average hours of sleep versus risk of death over a period of time. It didn't distinguish between people who slept a lot because they were ill (and therefore at greater risk of death) versus healthy people who slept a lot. There were other confounding factors. It did not show that sleeping more CAUSED earlier death, but that there was an association between how long you slept and your chances of death.

Without a doubt women need as much as 1.5 hours more sleep than men for optimal health. I'm pretty certain women taking decent amounts of androgens can prolly get by with less sleep and still make decent gains, but otherwise I think that sleep is the MOST important ingredient for muscle growth. I aim for 9 hours, preferably 7.5-8 at night and 1-1.5 nap in the avo. Keep in mind that what is optimal for muscle growth may not be optimal for longevity. I don't think there's enough evidence in to say for sure yet.

If you feel groggy, it may just be from waking up in the middle of one of your ~90 minute sleep cycles. Alarm clocks are an absolute curse when it comes to this, and I agree that it's better to have less (but complete) sleep rather than sleep longer but have it interupted. In other words it's best to wake up naturally. And of course, everyone's sleep needs are different.

If your sleep cycles are normal, back-to-back 90 minute ones, then you may find that 6, 7.5, 9 or 10.5 hours are best (or any multiple of 90 minutes), and that other amouns of sleep (eg 8 hours) leave you feeling less than your best.

 

[Lady Viking]

6.5 - 7.5 during the week, 10 on the weekends
And during the week I usually take 2 - 3 nap

 

[takniteasy]

Thanks MS, for clarifying that study for me. I had really always wondered about what was the right amount of sleep cause I have gone from 9-10 hours to a "normal" 8 hours to 6.5-7 hours now where I usually feel my best in the morning. Depending on my diet and my level of activity, (I am currently unemployed so activity is no too high now) I find myself taking naps in the early afternoon. I always feel guilty doing that though cause my mom always told me if I had time to nap I was not doing enough and therfore lazy.

 

[makedah]

8 hours. I only use my alarm clock if I know I won't be getting enough sleep.

 

[dragonmona]

I usually only sleep 5.5 to 6.5 hours each night. If I happen be out really late on a weekend I usually get less because I can't sleep during the day. Being an early bird really sucks after dancing until 4 AM!!

 

[vixenbabe]

My mom, who is 75, says that the older she gets the less sleep she needs per night(her average is 6.0 hours) I would have blown off her comment but it appears that her other "older" friends have claimed they also do not sleep as much as they did in their younger days(they average from 5.5 to 6.5 per night) Kind of interesting....

So far...I still need my 8 hours per night! Less than that, and I feel like total ca-ca!