Scientists say 8-hour sleep rule is not for everyone
Photo: How long should you sleep to wake up refreshed (Freepik)
The 8-hour sleep advice has long been considered a universal standard, but modern scientific research calls this assumption into question. Experts emphasize that sleep needs are highly individual and depend on factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle, and even a person's body clock, according to Professor Daniel E. Lieberman.
Why eight hours of sleep is not a must
The expert notes that a fixed number of hours should not be seen as mandatory for everyone. Some people feel fine with six hours of sleep, others need seven and a half or even nine. What matters most is how you feel, your energy levels, and your ability to concentrate during the day.
Sleep cycles and proper waking up
Human sleep consists of cycles lasting about 90 minutes. If you wake up in the middle of a deep sleep phase, you may feel tired even after a long night's rest. That is why specialists recommend planning sleep in 90-minute increments—for example, six, seven and a half, or nine hours.
Routine matters more than duration
Research shows that sleep regularity may have a greater impact on health than the total number of hours slept. The body adapts to a consistent schedule, which has positive effects on hormonal balance, the heart, and the nervous system.
There are also different chronotypes—commonly referred to as "early sleepers" and "late sleepers"—and these differences are primarily genetic.
Sleep quality matters most
Experts stress that it's better to have less but better-quality sleep than to sleep longer with frequent awakenings.
For healthy sleep, specialists recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, and creating a sleep-friendly environment—a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom. Avoiding gadgets, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime can also help reduce the risk of insomnia.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
