Why some people need 12 hours of sleep while others only need 6

Our experts explain the difference between sleep extremes. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

My Sleep Profile My Sleep Profile

You went to bed at 11 and woke up at 7. That's 8 hours, right? So why do you still feel tired? The truth is that sleep needs vary by age, lifestyle, and timing (when you fall asleep). If you're "hitting your number" but wake up tired, our sleep calculator can help. Discover a bedtime based on your wake time to get a personalized science-based target. Find My Sleep Sweet Spot

Some people swear they only need 6 hours. Others sleep 10 and still feel tired. What gives? It turns out that both too little and too much sleep can cause problems, from foggy mornings, difficulty waking up in the morning, to long-term health issues. If you're consistently on the low end of the sleep spectrum, you might be what's known as a short sleeper—but is that healthy? Why Some People Thrive on Less Sleep On the other hand, regularly sleeping 9–10+ hours could point to something called long-sleeper syndrome, where your body naturally needs more rest.   It can also signal an underlying issue! This is where an at-home sleep test can be especially helpful for spotting potential problems. When Sleeping Too Much Might Be a Sign No matter how many hours you aim for, sleep quality​ matters just as much as quantity. These 20 expert-approved tips cover everything from lighting and noise to evening routines and bedroom setup. These are simple habits backed by science, and even one or two changes could make a big difference in your sleep tonight! Try These Sleep Tips

Recommended Reads Could a Sleep Test Explain Your Fatigue? Always tired, even after a full night's rest? Learn how an at-home sleep test can uncover hidden issues and help you get better rest. How Long Can You Go Without Sleep? We don't recommend testing this, but the science of sleep deprivation is both fascinating and alarming. The Best Sleep Apps of 2025 Wind down, fall asleep, and track your rest with these expert-vetted tools for better sleep hygiene. Why Sleep Gets Harder With Age (and What to Do About It) Aging may affect how deeply and how long you sleep, but there are proven ways to improve your rest at any age.

Sleep Foundation, A Sleep Doctor Company 1414 NE 42nd St 400 Seattle, WA 98105 View in Your Browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Preferences   Sleep Doctor (collectively Sleep Foundation, SleepFoundation.org, SleepApnea.com, and SleepDoctor.com) is not affiliated with the National Sleep Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Sleep Doctor and its brands provide comprehensive health information to help people cultivate better sleep. Sleep Doctor does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment options.