Well everyone's body is different. Growing up in a family with 3 other siblings I noticed that My youngest brother and I slept less than my Older sister and middle brother. Without fail year after year I would watch my 2 siblings sleep atleast 8 or 9 hours. Sometimes on weekends even more. While my brother and I only sleep 6 or 7.
So what I'm thinking is that when they came up with the 8 hours a night theory it was basically an average. Also sometimes age will play a role in how much you need to sleep.
I think everyone wants to sleep less because we are so busy. The US goverment standardized the 40 hour a week work job. Europe and some other countries are less strict, and with us wanted to be able to do everything all the time, and more and more pressures to be these super humans we try to cut out the one thing we don't think is very important, or something we deem as lazy.
but sleeping is important. It is healthy and we are more focused, alert and active during the days we get the best rest.
I would suggest trying 30 minutes less. This sunday we turn our clocks back an hour and you don't need to stress your body out by going extreme. So if you are used to waking up at 7am try waking up at 6:30. Do this for a week and see how you feel. After a week try another 30 minutes to 6am. and see how you feel. Depending on how many hours you currently sleep will depend on how much you may be able to draw back. I wouldn't suggest going under 6 hours of sleep though.
Some people think you can make up for lost sleep. It doesn't really work that way. Your body needs a sleep routine. Giving it low rates half the week and high rates the other half will throw your body off. and you will not feel rested at all.
So here is what I reccommend.
atleast 6 hours of sleep each night. No caffiene or alcohol before bed.
Eat well, exercise daily, and keep hydrated
Make sure you have good pillows and matress on the bed
Keep peppermint candies by you bedside and pop one in when you wake up. It will refresh you.
Eat Breakfast
Don't eat dinner right before bed
Get into a sleep routine, this includes napping if you want to nap.
when taking time off your sleep do it very gradually, 15 to 30 minutes tops each week.
Get ready for bed, during the course of the night prep yourself and destress yourself so that you will have a good nights sleep.
keep bedroom uncluttered.
Only use your bed for Sleeping and Sex. This means no laptop, no books, no homework or studies.
Take the TV out of your bedroom. Studies show that this both increased the amount of sleep you get and the amount of sex you get. :P
and last but not least listen to your body and find a good sleeping average that works best for you.
This answer was edited by Skoolie 622 days ago.
Reason: added a few more ideas
