I've noticed we've got quite a few late night posters

How much sleep do you need and how much do you actually get

I need 7 1/2 hours and usually get that...rarely have trouble sleeping  but if I do its easier being on my own as i can just put on the light and read for a while until i start to doze off

I would say ideally 71/2 to 8 hours. Need my sleep

would say i average 4/5 hrs sleep when the going is good

insomnia or the kids kicks off and i can go up to 48 hrs without being able to sleep  .  At these times i still try to spend time lying in bed my theory is at least i am resting

Me, personally.........being one of the 'late night poster's, i go with the flow...
Never had a full nights sleep since I became a mum............and i survive. Hasn't done me any harm...my boss doesnt understadn why i'm always cheery, no matter how much or how little sleep i have.   I can read for hours, or read for 10 mins...sleeps comes when it comes...

Total night owl here, always been the same, since about 6.

Tried all manner of pills and potions and useless sheep-counting over the years, I have never found anything that's truly effective without a downside, so I just go with the flow now. If there's a daytime job to be done I can get off okay usually but if I don't have to be up, you'll pretty much always find me wide awake at 4am.

One of my worst ever experiences was being put on zopiclone - ended up on the flippin things for donkey's years & I found them seriously nasty to get off. They do get you off to sleep though, in much the same way as being smacked over the back of the head with a shovel probably does 

 

OUch!!! ARgie.


think i would rather have you as a night owl, at least i have company..than smacked out!

yeah they weren't good. some doctors seem to dole them out like sweeties. I'd rather live out the rest of my days as an insomniac than go near them again.

I think they're okay for a few days to get over a crisis but not years on end.

You're well rid of them ARgie.  Doc's should get their knuckles rapped for giving out pills endlessly.

Once you get used to those things, you're in a worse position than before - you absolutely cannot sleep unless you have them. Plus you start getting fond of the tranquilliser action & get edgy if you run short.

In the end I went through the worst, searing headache for 3 or 4 days solid.. but got off 'em. Never again. I spend a week solid on google now if the doc so much as suggests I start taking tic tac mints.

scary stuff........i suppose you just have to exhaust the body and mind to the point it gives up.