The need of sleep

-or- How little is too little?

Published on April 10, 2004 By BlueDev In Misc

Ever since I can recall we have heard time and time again that we need ~8 hours of sleep a night to function properly and maintain our health. And while that sounds like a great idea I have to ask:

Is that realistic?

Is there anyone here who regularly gets about 8 hours of sleep a night? That just doesn't seem even possible to me. I started adding up my hours this week and realized that I am doing good if I get 4 solid hours each night. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done and then sleep 8 hours. Of course, being a medical student on my surgery rotation contributes to that. I think I broke through the wall though.

Earlier this week I woke up every morning so tired that I was lightheaded, dizzy and nauseous. It was all I could do to function. Then my body either decided to get used to it or I tapped some energy reserves I didn't know I had, because the last few days I have felt fine. Tired to be sure, but fine. In fact, I am beginning to think I will be able to handle a surgical residency. I totaled the hours for the last week and realized that I spent ~90 hours in the hospital, and then had to study each night. And I am loving it.

But I do miss sleep. Tomorrow is my day off for the week, so I look forward to no alarm at 4:00 am. Even sleeping until 6:00 seems like such a sweet option. I suppose I am learning to appreciate it more. Oh, and I can fall asleep at a moment's notice, whether reclining, sitting, or even standing. So I suppose my body is telling me it would like some more.

8 hours though, wow. Is that even possible? That would only leave 16 hours to get stuff done. I don't even think that is realistic.

Comments

Unfairman

on Apr 11, 2004

Ah, yes, the woes of the Type A personality.

I, personally, feel that when I do something I should be in top form, or it really isn't worth doing. As a Psych major, I learned all about sleep dep. It's said that a person who gets less than 6 hours sleep (some people need more or less sleep than others, the 6 hour is based on the average 8 hour scale) can only function at 70% of their "brain power". This is akin to being mentally retarded in comparison to your normal, well rested self.

I make sure I get enough sleep as often as possible, whether I feel I need it or not. Sure, I may not get as many things done as others, but...quality vs. quantity.

Enigma16

on Apr 11, 2004

3 quick comments:
-I wonder if over time, humans will evolve so they need less and less sleep, to the point where perhaps they will need very little sleep, which brings me to my next point:
-it would suck if we didn't need that much sleep, though, because personally, I think sleeping is one of the greatest activities of all time. Think about it. It is the one time in your life where life is truly yours, you aren't stressing out or having other emotional problems unless they're in your dreams in which anything is possible and it seems that since they're just dreams, you can wake up. I think sleep is the cure for most things: headaches, sadness, tiredness (duh), boredom, etc.
-I suppose this doesn't quite apply to you because you're doing your residency, but otherwise I would like to share a great quote: "Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresea, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

Anyways, power to you to get through your residency. I will soon be in your place. And get some sleep

~Me

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