How much sleep do I really need?

Insomnia is not the same as sleeping very little. The average adult sleeps for eight hours a night, but individual needs vary between as little as two hours a night to over ten. Only you know how much sleep you need.

Some researchers claim that even eight hours a night leaves us sleep starved, based on the fact that most people sleep for an extra two to three hours when they ditch their alarm clocks. Others say six hours of uninterrupted sleep may be better than ten hours of dozing and waking, because the first six hours are dominated by deep sleep, which is essential for health and vitality. If you feel good and function well on five hours a night, don't worry about not getting eight.