Photo remixed from an original by Tom Small.
The studies lasted about four years and posted their results in 2003, but most people still operate under the old assumption that five or six hours of nightly sleep is enough to operate indefinitely, without any consequences. While it’s true that a small percentage of people can actually pull it off, the number for most of us is a rock-solid eight hours — anything less and we begin to suffer major losses in everything from attention span to reaction time.
The participants in the study were tested in a controlled laboratory setting for a period of two weeks. Those who slept eight or nine hours didn’t show any signs of slowing down when tested, but the four and six hour groups were found to be impaired to the point of being “the cognitive equivalent of being legally drunk” at the end of the two-week period. Sleeping in on the weekends won’t necessarily make it better, either. We just need to sleep more.
If you’re having trouble meeting your eight hour quota, here are some tips for sleeping better. Read more about the studies and their results by hitting the link below.
How Little Sleep Can You Get Away With? [New York Times]
The need for sleeping 8 or 9 hours a night is simply untrue. In that particular study, I'd wager that the participants that were chosen were already people who regularly got 8 hours of sleep a night. If that's the case, then of course they would show signs after cutting their sleeping times to 5 or 6 hours.
Many people function quite well on 5 or 6 hours / night. And its because they get 5 or 6 hours of quality sleep.
You don't need to sleep MORE, you need to get more QUALITY sleep.
I Agree with "InstantlyFallAsleep.com: You don’t need to sleep MORE, you need to get more QUALITY sleep"
The night before an exam I average around 4-6 Hours sleep, Even after 'Cramming' for a day and a half. And I still can concentrate the next day.
Other times where I have say slept at someones house I usually don't get the Quality of sleep I need as I'm not in the comfort of my bedroom in my snuggly bed, even though I get around 8-10 hours sleep. I can feel drowsy the next day.
In saying this it really comes down to the person and their unique lifestyle.
I only get 5 - 6 hours if I am lucky. I work 3rd shift. It was hard when I first started but after I adjusted to it, it was easy. And I feel well rested about 99% of the time. The times I dont it is because someone has woken me up a few times. Often have nieces and nephews over. It all boils down to your schedule and if you keep on it well.