How many hours of sleep does a person actually need?

Many studies have focused on the ideal hours of sleep that a person needs, but their results often come in a way. While studies show a human need for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day, a German study shows that this recommendation is not suitable for everyone!

Not everyone needs a lot of sleep, but some people can't work without sleeping for eight hours. When it comes to sleep, there is a huge difference between individuals and what they need. "The spectrum is very broad," says sleep researcher Hans-Gunter Weiss. It's possible that Einstein slept for ten hours, and maybe Napoleon was only three hours away." The general recommendation to sleep for seven or eight hours at night is not suitable for everyone, says Weise, a member of the Board of Directors of the German Sleep Association. He points out that people have to determine for themselves how much sleep they really need.

There are some obvious signs to know. If you wake up every morning from deep sleep with an alarm clock, you should think about going to bed earlier. "This is a clear sign that your need for sleep has not been met," says Vise.

However, going to sleep early is not the right solution for everyone, as there are significant physiological variations that play a major role. In general, there are two types of people: the "early bird" who sleeps and wakes up early, and the night owl, which loves to stay up.

"You have to know which of the two types you are and organize your life in accordance with it," says Vise. This can include your career choice." The best time to sleep for nightlife lovers is between 1 and 2 before dawn if they want to get eight hours, so it may be difficult to achieve the required performance at school, university or work.