how much sleep does a healthy adult really need and how long could we safely go without?

Answer 1

-7-9 hrs a day of sleep needed
-Someone went without sleeping for 11 days but that person ended up having sychological problems aswell as paranoia.

Answer 2

I think we need 4 hours a night, but more is obviously better with 8 being the optimum amount which will lead to a longer life and all that. Too much sleep isn't good for you, and you can never catch up on lost sleep, so if you only get a couple of hours one night don't try to get 14 the next night as it doesn't work like that. I love sleeping though, I wish I was a koala.

Answer 3

Everyone's different.

I have never needed more than 4-5 hours a night; but my sister is no good to anyone if she doesn't get at least 10 hours!!!

When she is ill, she goes to bed, sleeps for days - not even waking for a drink - then wakes up well again......no matter HOW ill I feel, if I didn't get a regular top up of tea I think I'd DIE!!!

Answer 4

I heard our we should plan our sleeping in 3 hour increments. I guess we go through one cycle in that time, and if you do the 3 hour thing it's easier to wake up if you catch yourself between cycles. There is no way I could only go on 3 hours a night, though...

Answer 5

I think you have to make the difference between co-sleeping and bed sharing. I do the former, I have the baby's cot placed next to my bed. I sometimes take naps with her in the morning or the afternoon. I once tried to have her next to me in the bed during night time as I was concerned about her not feeding well enough, yet I wasn't able to sleep well all night. I think it is the complete darkness that makes me feel insecure. During daytime and for short periods of time I feel 100% under control.

Answer 6

I generally get 2/3 hours and have no problem with it.
Have been working for 48hours with only an hour break which was quite hard.
But you do acclimatise to lack of sleep I found.

Answer 7

the average adult needs to sleep from 6-8 hours.. it's also according to ur biological clock... some ppl r satisfied from just 4 hours daily.. u should get some sleep everyday, otherwise, the alcohol levels in ur blood actually rises.. u become inco-ordinated & acts as if u're drunk! & that's a fact... the period it takes b4 u act like this depends on ur body ... it differs from one person to another..

Answer 8

i manage on 4-5 hours a night
must sleep soon as up at 6 - 6.30 in the morning

Answer 9

I'm constantly staying up late (sometimes all night, sometimes until 4am) and I'm fine as far as I know.

In general I'd say to get at least 8 hours sleep a night, if not more.

:-)

Answer 10

Are you worried about it?.....Yes the average is about 8 hours but some need less and can quite happily function........ 2 of our greatest leaders (lets forget politics) survived and actually blossomed on less than 4 hours! Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher...........