Do abnormally short periods of sleep affect our lives?

Question

I know this girl who sleeps only 3-4 hours a night. She doesn't take naps or breaks. However, the peculiar thing is that she is not fatigued, tired, sleepy, moody etc AT ALL. In fact, she's one of the most cheerful and active people I know and she shows no signs of losing 4 of the required 8 hours of sleep a day. According to her, she has been sleeping this little for 3 years and suffered very little or no side effects. Is this normal? Will it affect her life/health in the future?

Answer 1

You might believe that this is abnormal because you need 7, 8 or even 9 hours of sleep each night.

But for her, this may not be abnormal. That 8 hours most people mention is just the average. Many people require more sleep than this. Some require much less sleep.

The medical condition "Insomnia" (lack of sleep) is different than a normal condition call "Short Sleep." Some people naturally need much less sleep than the average amount. These people are called Short sleepers.

If she has insomnia (or another condition which causes her to sleep less than the amount she really needs), then this will eventually catch up with her. If she is a short sleeper, she might do this (only get 3 to 4 hours of sleep per night) for decades with no ill effects.

John F. Kennedy and Napoleon Bonaparte were both believed to be naturally short sleepers.

Answer 2

Studies have shown that not sleeping when you are younger can cause heart problems and weakness in the future.
It also lowers your immune system. Your immune system is kind of like a battery. It works all day, and at night it needs time to "charge" so it is ready for the next. If you don't sleep enough, it doesnt charge fully and doesnt work to its strongest ability, making it more likely for you to become ill.
Sleep is good for your health and your brain! so make sure you get enough sleep at nights =]

Answer 3

It’s not absolutely clear that sleep loss leads to bad health, but evidence is mounting. Decreased sleep is now associated with dozens of different illnesses and health problems. We live in a chronically overtired society. In this country, half of us aren’t getting the seven to eight hours of sleep we need -- and our health may be suffering for it. “Getting enough sleep should be considered just as important as eating a healthy diet and exercising,” Who knew that lying around could be so good for you?

Answer 4

I don't think so. My fiance rarely sleeps more than 5.5 hours a night, and he has never felt affected by it. I think it is unusual, but some people just need less sleep.

That being said, the happiness may just be an act and she may have some kind of problem.

Answer 5

I actually read that if you sleep like that for too long in your life that you will lose 2 years from your life span.

Answer 6

Lack of sleep alters hormones, metabolism, simulates effects of aging.

so..yeh

Answer 7

I would consider falling asleep on the wheel and killing herself or others or even putting them in danger a bad side effect.

Answer 8

yup make em better