Some people need little sleep due to rare, inherited genetic mutations, like those in the ADRB1 or DEC2 genes, that make their sleep more efficient, allowing them to feel refreshed on 4-6 hours; this is called natural short sleep (NSS) and is a benign trait, unlike chronic sleep deprivation, where people think they need less sleep but suffer negative health effects from lack of rest.
Researchers continue to study the causes of short sleeper syndrome. They've identified gene changes in natural short sleepers. Researchers believe these genetic changes make it possible for people with SSS to feel refreshed with less sleep. Natural short sleepers may have changes in their DEC2 gene or ADRB1 gene.
In 2010 researchers discovered genetic mutations that help explain this phenomenon. Natural short sleepers carry rare variants in certain genes, which seem to make their sleep more efficient.
While most adults need at least seven hours of sleep, some adults average five or fewer hours of sleep each night. While it may seem like enough sleep, regularly getting only five hours of sleep each night may lead to sleep deprivation.
“Long sleepers” are people who regularly sleep more than the average person their age. As adults, their nightly length of sleep tends to be 10 to 12 hours. This sleep is very normal and of a good quality. It is simply much longer than most people because of their natural biological clock.
Best survival rates were found among those who slept seven hours a night. A group sleeping eight hours was 12% more likely to die within the six year period than those sleeping seven hours, other factors being equal. Even those with as little as five hours lived longer than those with eight hours or more nightly.
Einstein slept nearly 10 hours a day. He was known to be a firm believer in the importance of a good night's sleep, often aiming for around 10 hours of rest. However, his approach to sleep was somewhat unconventional.
Signs of poor core sleep (deep, restorative sleep) include waking up foggy, daytime fatigue/energy crashes, poor concentration, irritability, frequent illness, memory issues, and mood swings, indicating your brain and body aren't fully repairing and consolidating memories. You might also experience increased sugar cravings, slow muscle recovery, and a weakened immune system.
The koala is famous for sleeping around 20-22 hours a day, which is about 90% of the day, due to their low-energy diet of eucalyptus leaves that requires extensive digestion. Other extremely sleepy animals include the sloth (up to 20 hours) and the brown bat (around 20 hours), with some snakes like the ball python also sleeping up to 23 hours daily.
Yes, the Navy SEAL sleep trick (an 8-minute power nap with elevated legs) is a real technique for quick rest, popularized by former SEAL Jocko Willink, that helps improve alertness and reduce fatigue, though its effectiveness depends on individual relaxation skills and it's not a substitute for full nighttime sleep. The method involves lying down, elevating your feet above your heart (on a chair or couch), relaxing facial muscles, dropping shoulders, and clearing your mind for about 8-10 minutes to promote relaxation and blood flow, preventing grogginess.
The 3-2-1 sleep rule is a simple wind-down routine: stop eating and drinking alcohol 3 hours before bed, stop working/mentally stimulating activities 2 hours before, and turn off screens (phones, TVs) 1 hour before sleep, helping you transition to rest by reducing stimulants and preparing your mind and body. It's often part of a larger 10-3-2-1-0 rule, which also adds no caffeine 10 hours prior and no hitting snooze (0) in the morning.
Recent research shows the world's fittest humans only sleep 6.7 hours a night. A triathlete catches some quick shut-eye in Norway. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, elite athletes tend to get far less sleep each night than we'd expect.
Having short sleep durations, particularly less than 7 hours per night is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.
So no, having your eyes closed in bed does not count as sleep, but it's not like it's not beneficial either. Quiet wakefulness is an intermediary step for all of us to get to sleep on a healthy schedule, unless we are accustomed to being so exhausted we fall asleep within seconds of laying down.
Stick to a sleep schedule
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle. If you don't fall asleep within about 20 minutes of going to bed, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing.
There are many reasons why you might be waking up too early. They include external factors, such as environmental disturbances like temperature, light, and noise. They also include internal factors, like your circadian rhythm, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, and/or medical issues, like heartburn.
In January 1964, American student Randy Gardner sits on a bed next to various household objects he will later have to identify by memory as part of a sleep deprivation experiment in San Diego, Calif. Gardner set the world record during the experiment, staying awake for over 264 hours.
For the other cues, the following numbers of individuals were significantly worse during sleep deprivation: swollen eyes (six individuals), dark circles under the eyes (six), pale skin (six), fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes (six), droopy corners of the mouth (six), red eyes (four), rash/eczema (three), tense ...
It's particularly important to see a doctor if you're experiencing any kind of sleep problem that's preventing you from getting the sleep your body needs.
The 30th president of the United States would often sleep up to 11 hours a day, including his two-to-four-hour afternoon naps.
Because they are high achievers, they're often able to take on more than most. Even so, they eventually find their breaking point, and must start looking for a new solution to the problem of their limited time. Rather than scaling back commitments, high achievers double down and work even harder by sacrificing sleep.
10 hours before bed: No more caffeine. 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol. 2 hours before bed: No more work. 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs and computers).