You’ve probably heard the accepted wisdom that people need between seven and eight hours of sleep each night for optimal concentration and health. However, some people claim to need far fewer hours of sleep to perform at their best. These so-called “sleepless elite” don’t believe there is anything wrong with them. Instead, they feel that they receive sufficient sleep to meet their bodies’ requirements.
Living on Less Sleep
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Melinda Beck of the Wall Street Journal’s Health Journal reports that between one and three percent of the population can survive happily on just five or six hours of sleep each night. According to Beck, these people don’t rely on cat naps or caffeine to power them through the day. After a few hours of sleep, they’re ready to tackle their to-do lists—no yawns in sight.
However, she notes that some people only believe they need less sleep than the suggested average. They pack their days and nights full of activity and convince themselves that five hours of shut-eye are enough to keep them healthy. Most experience severe symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation. Only about five out of every 100 can function on less sleep with no consequences, and these are the sleepless elite.
Advantages of Increased Waking Hours
Also called short-sleepers, the sleepless elite gain extra waking hours because of their sleeping habits. Many go to bed around midnight and wake up between 4 and 5 a.m. They might use those extra hours to pursue a hobby, catch up on work, or spend time with family members who also sleep for shorter periods of time.
Potential Disadvantages of Short-Sleeping
It’s also possible, however, for the sleepless elite to experience negative consequences. According to Beck, some short-sleepers exhibit symptoms of a form of mania. They talk fast, move quickly, and rarely run out of energy. This can take a toll on the rest of the body.
Additionally, it’s possible that a person who claims to need less sleep actually could benefit from a few more hours in bed. Sleep deprivation can have serious long-term consequences, from reduced cognitive function to immune system impairment.
Sleep Quantity Versus Quality
Regardless of the number of hours one sleeps, the quality of the rest matters even more than the duration. Factors such as room temperature, mattress quality, and mental health can determine whether your sleep is actually restorative. For instance, if you prefer to sleep on your side, find the best mattress for side sleepers so you gain the benefits of high-quality rest every night.
Harvard University offers several other ways to improve sleep quality, such as:
- Avoiding stimulants in the hours before bed
- Creating a pre-sleep routine that calms your mind
- Eliminating late-day naps
- Increasing early morning exercise
Perhaps the sleepless elite simply know how to make those hours count, so they don’t need to stay in bed as long. Whatever the reason behind short-sleeping, it’s essential to remain honest with yourself about how much rest you need and to avoid depriving yourself of much-needed sleep.
