How many hours of sleep a night do you get? Did you know that if you aren’t sleeping enough, you might be setting yourself up for a whole mess of health problems. I guess 70ish years ago, most Americans got an average of 8+ hours of sleep each night. I wasn’t at all surprised to read that amount is now 20% less {around 6.7 hours of sleep a night) given how many devices distract us, the growing number of caffeine addicts (those Monster drinks are scary full of the stuff!), the fact there are TVs in bedrooms now, and the fact that we live in a world where working more and sleeping less is praised and often expected!
I read this article that talked all about the health ramifications of not getting enough sleep. It’s scary stuff, you guys!
“Every major disease that is killing us in the developed world: Alzheimer’s, cancer, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression, suicide. All of them have direct now and very strong causal links to deficient sleep.”
Yikes! These days I tend to do best with 7 hours of sleep and NO caffeine, but I went years getting much much less than the recommended amount of sleep. There was just too much to do and not enough hours in the day! They said that based on 10,000+ research study papers, they’ve proven the number of people who can survive on six hours of sleep or less and show no impairment, rounded to a whole number and expressed as a percent, is zero. ZERO. No one can survive on 6 hours of sleep on a routine basis without impairment. So that pretty much means for years I was walking around sleep impaired. Oops!
How many hours of sleep do you get? Do you play on your phone before you hit the sheets? Watch TV? Read? Do you see a direct correlation between number of hours slept and your health? Or have you never really required that much sleep? What are your thoughts on this?
Zzzzzz,
~Mavis
Angela says
I average close to 9 hours of sleep a night. Funny enough, having a toddler has actually helped me to sleep MORE because I go to bed when he does When I average 9 hours of sleep, I find I can actually get more done during the day in less time because my brain is functioning and I don’t have to drag myself through tasks. <6 hours a night with a newborn killed me!
Angela D. says
This blog post was well-timed for me. I have been suspecting that I have a sleep deficiency these past 9 years. It started the year I was pregnant with my third child (I needed to get up and walk three times a night), and my husband started snoring. In just two years, he had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and went around with several different machines and masks. All of them were horrible, the settings being constantly changed and none of the masks fitting well, both nose/mouth and just nose masks. Throughout that whole ordeal, I saw a change in him, from lack of restful sleep, I believe. Also, after seven years of snoring loudly he had a heart stent placed. The cardiologist team continues to insist that snoring is hard on the heart, but my husband is currently snoring all night long. He also had the mouth guard made for him–very expensive, to no avail. As for me? The past nine years have been the most difficult of my life, but for no large, easy-to-point-at reason. I have periods of depression or low motivation. I’ve gained more weight each year. I have difficulty remembering things each and every day (what did I come in here for?) I can’t focus like I used to, can’t read a book unless there’s complete silence; can’t think my thoughts without everyone being quiet for a moment!!!! I’ve considered Adult ADHD, but the therapist I saw suggested that I just need to be more organized with my time–I’m late for everything. Make lists, she suggested, prioritize. But: When the whole family goes away for an occasional weekend, I sleep so good and wake up greeting the day with excitement! (Which sounds gross to me, as I have been a night owl my whole life.) Here’s the blog entry I will ask you to consider: how many married couples sleep separately? I think I really need to cut myself lose from my husband’s sleep issues because we are both dragging our family down (we have three children and we homeschool.) At least, I’d like to give it a try, temporarily, but my husband is set against it. Can a marriage survive or possibly improve with sleeping separate?
Mavis Butterfield says
You need a solid block of sleep. I think you should try sleeping in a room by yourself for one week. And then you’ll have you’re answer. If my husband is snoring loudly {which happens only about once every two weeks or so} I move get up and sleep in the guest room. Good post idea! I’ll ask on the blog for you. 🙂
Karin says
I sleep separate from my husband and I love it. He is less enthusiastic but puts up with it. I highly recommend at least trying it out. Your symptoms could be caused by having so much going on plus a lack of good sleep but they also could be from perimenopause. Not sure how old you are but symptoms can start years (as many as 10) before menopause.
Brenda says
I began menopause at 40 and now at 56, I’m beginning to see them slow down. Without estradiol, I’m not sure I would have made it these last 16 years!!
Lindsey says
Married couples used to sleep separately , as depicted in old tv shows like I love Lucy. Why is it that in the last fifty years our society says if you sleep separately your marriage is strained or failing? It’s ridiculous! I despise sharing a bed with my anyone, husband or kids. My husband and I each have our own beds in the same room, 2 queens. If I had an extra bedroom I would totally sleep in my own room! Do it, nothing bad will happen to your marriage. You’ll be well rested and happier.
Lindsey says
Also, I wouldn’t give two hoots whether my husband liked it. HE is keeping YOU awake. It’s not his decision.
Kay says
Not true. On the first two seasons of I Love Lucy, they had one bed…it was the network sensors that pushed the beds apart.
Jenny Young says
My husband & I sleep separate. Initially it was his idea. I was always a light sleeper & he snores occasionally & moves around a lot in his sleep. We’d fight over the blankets, the temperature…ect. When our son was in high school he started going to the couch in the middle of the night. He wasn’t sleeping well for fear of waking me & I was always afraid to move if I woke up for fear of waking him….ridiculous.
So, when our son moved out 6 yrs ago we redid his bedroom for my husband. We are so much happier. It’s like having a roommate who visits. We sleep with each other sometimes when we miss each other or take afternoon naps together. We always kiss each other goodnight & whoever goes to bed last tucks the other one in. We’ve been very open & talked about our feelings, affirming our love.
I am sad sometimes about it. I wish we were still young enough to sleep together & it not be such a big deal. I worry something will happen to him while I’m sleeping & I won’t know with him in another room. But we are both nicer, kinder & better organized people with a good night’s sleep.
When we travel we sleep together. We usually get rooms with a king size bed & it hasn’t been much of an issue. I also think my hearing is worse as I’ve aged & I just don’t hear him snore like I used to!
Nancy says
Jenny-this is our life exactly! And it is great for both of us, I used to go to the extra bedroom occasionally when hubby snored. Then menopause hit and I was up a lot and would turn on light on nightstand to read trying to fall back asleep. I do think I am a nicer person when I get a good nights sleep without worrying I am bothering someone. No guilt-this works for us. Married 42 years and love each other like crazy!
Lynne says
My grandparents and my aunt/uncle both slept separately and it worked for them. They owned a business and had different roles & schedules but we weren’t allowed to visit afternoons during the week 😉
Dana says
Angela D.,
You have A LOT going on with home schooling and a husband with a sleep disorder, etc. You definitely need consistent, restful, sleep to survive.
Check with a Doctor first of course, to make sure it’s not a health issue like your thyroid, that may be a contributing factor. Cut out caffeine after noon or 1pm to make sure that’s not an issue as well.
Once any health issues on your side are ruled out, I highly recommend a bedtime ritual that lets your body know it’s time for bed. For example: soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts, brush your teeth, climb into bed. Or maybe a ten minute calming yoga session, a warm 5 minute shower, brush teeth, bed. Whatever works for you.
Make sure wherever you choose to sleep is conducive to rest, – no light, black out curtains, comfortable bed, clean sheets, etc. Put in ear plugs and a sleep mask, and give yourself a good 9 hours before you have to get up.
Sleep has always been an issue for me so I do everything I can to make our bedroom as sleep enhancing as possible: Tempurpedic bed, black out curtains, no clutter, no alarm clocks with lights, no cell phones in the bedroom and certainly no TV, ear plugs, and sleep mask. I even wash our sheets in lavender soap as the scent is supposed to induce sleep.
Definitely sleep in another room away fro. Your husband If at all possible. He may not be ok with it at first but he will survive, and will likely be thrilled when he sees how much good rest changes your entire demeanor. Without sleep we are all not our best selves, or even our second best selves.
Best of luck and please keep us updated!
Katrina says
My dad had sleep apnea and he completely changed in health, personality, depression, energy, cognition, etc. When he was in the hospital and they MADE him wear a CPAP, the difference was amazing! My parents got separate beds (same room) long ago. I think it would have been better if they had separate rooms, though. I know when I don’t get at least 7 hours of solid sleep I’m terrible!
Maria Zannini says
Now that I’m “retired” (she laughs maniacally) I average 6-7 hours a night. When i worked for the man, about 5 hours a night.
I’m happy with six. With seven I feel like a hedonist. Like Angela said above, I sleep better when I’m alone. If the husband gets too loud, I go to another bedroom.
If hubby’s not home, I sometimes break up my night by sleeping four hours, get up for two, then go back to sleep for three. I read somewhere that before the 1800s it was pretty common for people to maintain this sleep cycle. Surprisingly enough I get a lot more done in a 24 hour period this way.
Julie says
I agree if one of you is keeping the other awake then separate rooms if you can. We sleep apart during the working week and together at weekends and I’m always exhausted after the weekend. We started this because my husband works weird shifts with a lot of early starts so he goes to bed very early. I on the other hand have always automatically awoken at 6am. I like to be in bed at 10 and asleep by 10.30. It works for us and we’ve been doing is for about about ten years or more now. And with regard to being peri menopausal, I was in ‘the change’, as my mother called it, in my 30s, so was my mum, after 34 she had no more periods. My sister was all over and done with it at forty so who knows and it was a difficult time sleepwise what with the hot flushes and restless legs, I was tired all the time.
Rosaleen says
Hubby used to snore hard enough to shake the bed. The machine for sleep apnea helped him but was LOUD. I slept with foam earplugs for many, many years. After hubby lost 80-100 pounds, his snoring nearly stopped and he no longer uses the machine. Other things disturb my sleep now. Instead of turning on the light to read a book, I either get up or listen to a book. Audible is great, but there are also free sources. Check on line or your public library. If you have a tablet or Kindle, you might be able to read with just the device’s light, but be aware that the light may keep you awake as may a really good story. Good luck!
Daniell says
Everyone makes fun of me for sleeping 8-9 hours per night! I’m glad I’m in good company.
Martine says
I’m sure it was in a Bill Bryson book I read that post second world war in America there was a huge rise in manufacturing etc and rather than pursuing more leisure time and good quality of living Americans chose to make more money by working longer hours to the detriment of family life. This is perhaps why you find in Europe we have much more in the way of holidays, workplace hours laws, etc. and possibly more sleep!
Sandy says
I have to have at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Period. Otherwise I’m not fit to be around. I go to bed at 9:15ish and get up at 5:15ish. If I get less that 8 hours consistently everything just becomes overwhelming. I can’t make good decisions, I feel depressed — it’s just not a good scene. About 15 years ago I had a traumatic event in my life and for about 9 months I slept approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours a night. It was just torture — life events just would not let me relax enough sleep. Ever since then I have to get a full 8 hours of sleep or I am good for nothing. After period in my life I will never, ever take a good night’s sleep, a good meal, and a peaceful mind for granted. 🙂
Katherine says
I probably average 7 hours of sleep per night. My husband snores a bit but mostly he just breathes really loud and if it started before I fell asleep it would keep me awake. When I started menopause and the dreaded hot flashes I put a standing fan at the foot of the bed. The breeze and the noise from the fan actually enabled me to sleep better and drowned out my husbands loud breathing. So the fan is on every night summer or winter.
Angela D. says
Katherine–I, too, must have a fan (or cool mist humidifier, depending on the seasons) blowing in our bedroom to block out my husband’s snoring. Well, not block it out, but it gives me something else to listen to; the louder the fan, the better!
Carrie says
During the week I get 8 hours of sleep. On the weekends it will usually be a little less since my dog is programmed to wake at 6am regardless of bedtime. My partner doesn’t snore and I am a very heavy sleeper. I hate when he’s out of town and usually I am more restless at night being alone in the bed.
I agree with the person above about having a routine. At 9:30pm I am washing my face, removing contacts and brushing my teeth. I read a book or look at instagram ON THE COUCH until 10 and then go to bed. We have a strict no screens in the bedroom policy. I fall sleep almost instantly which my partner isn’t to thrilled about. He wishes I would stay awake longer and talk to him. Once the lights are out so am I!
Connie says
I get between 8 – 9 hours of sleep a night. Anything less than that, I don’t feel rested.