Gina Johnson
Sleep is a necessity for all of us, but some people claim to function on very little sleep. Former US President Barack Obama reportedly slept for about five hours a night during his presidency, while actor Dwayne Johnson says he sleeps for three to five hours a night. Sleep experts recommend getting between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommending a minimum of seven hours to maintain optimal health. However, older adults typically need less sleep than younger people, and some people might be able to function on less sleep in the short term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Older people | Need less sleep than younger people |
| People with busy schedules | May need to sleep less |
| People with medical conditions | May need to sleep less |
| People who are grieving | May need to sleep less |
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What You'll Learn
Older people need less sleep
Most sleep experts recommend getting somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. However, older adults typically need less sleep than younger people. For example, someone who slept eight hours a night in their 40s might be able to function well with 6.5 hours a night in their 70s. This is because older people produce less of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, and they tend to have more medical conditions that can interfere with sleep.
According to experts, it is rare for anyone to need fewer than six hours of sleep to function. Although some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, scientists think it is more likely that they are used to the negative effects of reduced sleep.
If special circumstances aren't allowing you to sleep as much as you need to, Lynelle Schneeberg, a sleep psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale Medicine, recommends trying to get 5.5 to six hours each night. She says, "That's not what I want people to strive for, but it will allow you to log some deep sleep."
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Dwayne Johnson sleeps 3-5 hours a night
Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, says he sleeps just three to five hours a night. He gets up before the sun rises to have time to orient himself for the day, work out, plan his day and meditate. Johnson is one of the most productive actors in Hollywood, with a dozen projects in the works. He is also having a baby, spends time motivating kids, and spends all day on social media.
Sleep experts recommend getting somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. However, this isn't always achievable. Older adults typically need less sleep than younger people. For example, someone who slept eight hours a night in their 40s might be able to function well with 6.5 hours a night in their 70s.
According to experts, it is rare for anyone to need fewer than six hours of sleep to function. Although some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, scientists think it is more likely that they are used to the negative effects of reduced sleep. Older people produce less of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, and they tend to have more medical conditions that can interfere with sleep.
Former president Barack Obama reportedly only slept about five hours per night during his presidency.
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Barack Obama slept 5 hours a night
It is recommended that people get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night to maintain optimal health. However, some people claim to function on less sleep. For example, former US president Barack Obama reportedly slept for about five hours a night during his presidency. Obama is a self-proclaimed "night guy" and would often stay up until 2 am reading briefings and doing work. He would go to bed after midnight and wake up at 7 am. Obama's sleep pattern was likely dictated by his circadian rhythm, which can be flexible depending on personal schedules.
Obama's nighttime routine differs from those of other recent presidents. For example, George W. Bush was often in bed by 10 pm, and Bill Clinton would stay up late talking on the phone with friends and political allies.
While some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, experts say it is rare for anyone to need fewer than six hours of sleep to function. If you regularly sleep less than seven hours a night, you will experience physical, psychological, and social consequences.
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Sleep experts recommend 7-9 hours
Sleep experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. While some people claim to function on less sleep, experts say that it is rare for anyone to need fewer than six hours of sleep to function properly.
According to Joe Dzierzewski, vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation, if you regularly sleep less than seven hours a night, "you're going to experience physical, psychological, and social consequences". He adds that functioning on less than seven hours of sleep should not be seen as a badge of honour, comparing it to someone claiming they can maintain a healthy weight by eating chocolate all day.
While it is possible to survive on less sleep in the short term, it is not sustainable in the long term. Lynelle Schneeberg, a sleep psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale Medicine, recommends that people get at least 5.5 to six hours of sleep each night if special circumstances are preventing them from getting the recommended amount. However, she emphasises that this should not be the goal and that it is still important to prioritise sleep.
Older adults typically need less sleep than younger people. For example, someone who slept eight hours a night in their 40s might be able to function well with 6.5 hours a night in their 70s. This is because older people produce less of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin and tend to have more medical conditions that can interfere with sleep.
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Sleep deprivation has physical, psychological and social consequences
Although some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, scientists think it is more likely that they are used to the negative effects of reduced sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to physical problems such as a weakened immune system and increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can also cause psychological issues such as anxiety and depression, and social consequences such as impaired judgement and difficulty concentrating.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep experts recommend getting somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. However, older adults typically need less sleep than younger people. For example, someone who slept eight hours a night in their 40s might be able to function well with 6.5 hours a night in their 70s.
According to experts, it is rare for anyone to need fewer than six hours of sleep to function. Although some people might claim to feel fine with limited sleep, scientists think it is more likely that they are used to the negative effects of reduced sleep.
If you regularly sleep less than seven hours a night, you're going to experience physical, psychological, and social consequences.
