Myth: You Need To Get Eight Hours of Sleep Every Night To Have Optimal Health
Truth: Although eight hours is a goal some people strive for, not everyone is the same. Some people feel well-rested after getting less sleep or require a lot more. It really depends on people’s personal metabolisms and the quality of sleep that they have. For example, if someone’s day has a lot of heavy work that makes them extremely tired, they might require a lot more sleep every night to feel energized the next day.
Everyone has a different circadian rhythm that determines optimal sleep time. It could be anywhere from six to nine hours, so always aiming for eight might not work for some people. Sleep should be treated like exercise and hydration: get enough so that you feel your best and don’t give yourself some unattainable goal that doesn’t make you feel healthy.