How much should people sleep ?

Hi there and smile! The amount of sleep that a healthy individual needs is largely determined by two factors: genetics and age. Genetics plays a role in both the amount of sleep a person needs, as well as his or her preference for waking up early (these are the so-called "larks," or morning-type individuals) or staying up late (these are the "owls," or evening-type people). Our internal biological clock, which regulates the cycling of many functions including the sleep/wake cycle, can vary slightly from individual to individual. Although our internal clock is set to approximately 24 hours, if your clock runs faster than 24 hours, you tend to be a "lark" and wake up early; if your clock runs more slowly, you tend to be an "owl" and go to bed later. Sleep needs and patterns of sleep and wakefulness are not the same for everyone. The first step in determining your need for sleep is through self-evaluation. Ask yourself: "How tired do I feel during the daytime? When do I feel most alert? When does fatigue set in?" Even moments of sleepiness that you may think of as routine, for instance, falling asleep on the subway on the way to work, or during a lecture, are likely a sign that you are not getting enough sleep. Paying attention to your body's cues for sleep is the first step toward figuring out if you are meeting your sleep needs, or if you are sleep deprived or suffering from a sleep disorder (or possibly both). Happy mylotting

General concensus is at least eight hours of sleep I think but I have found that the older I get, the less sleep I need or want. I have always been a night owl and even when I had to get up at 6:00 A.M. for work I still could function quite well on six hours of sleep. Lately since I have been unemployed, I don't get to bed until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning but I still get up by 7:00 A.M. and function just fine. At least I think I function well.:)

Health professionals suggest that eight hours of sleep is good for the human body and for the brain to function normally . Literally speaking, our brain will work to the fullest if it had good rest, otherwise--we can't think normally, we get irritated, we often forget things (long list we have here ). Our immune system also weakens if we lack sleep because just like any other creature in the world that work, we need to take a rest. We need to regain strength and sleep is the best rest for us to get it back immediately. You are correct when you said that too much and too less isn't good. It has to be in the middle and eight hours is indeed in the middle, i think. Health professionals said so--i am with them : )

8-10 hours a day is supposed to be your hours of sleep. But I think now it's hard to get that long hours of sleep because like me I'm still awake and mylotting a lot. It's already 1:30 in the morning.

I think eight hours is just right because that's what the doctors are saying but if you have time constraints I think six hours of sleep is enough to keep you going. Oversleeping is in fact tiring too. I feel uneasy when I overslept more than when I lack sleep. Plus you get body aches and headaches when you oversleep.