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Eight-hour sleep rule outdated, new research suggests
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In Short: The traditional eight-hour sleep recommendation may be a relic of the past, according to new research that examines natural sleep patterns in hunter-gatherer communities.
The eight-hour sleep rule, a concept that has been the standard recommendation for decades, is now being challenged by new research. This idea, which originated in the mid-19th century, was based on the division of the day into eight hours of work, eight for recreation, and eight for sleep. However, recent studies have delved into the natural sleep patterns of hunter-gatherer communities, whose lifestyles are closer to those of our ancestors and who have minimal exposure to artificial light.
Researchers have found that these communities often sleep for shorter durations than the eight-hour mark, suggesting that such short sleep durations are not necessarily a result of modern-day distractions like traffic noise or social media. Instead, these findings indicate that the amount of sleep people naturally get may be the optimal amount for them.
The assumption behind these studies is that the natural sleep duration observed in these communities is indicative of the amount of sleep an individual needs for optimal health and well-being. This challenges the long-standing belief that eight hours of sleep is the universal standard for adults.
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- The idea dates back to the mid-19th century when the notion of eight hours of work, eight for recreation and eight for sleep first took hold The idea dates back to the mid-19th century when the notion of eight hours of work, eight for recreation and eight for sleep first took hold For decades, the answer to “how much sleep does an adult need?” has been simple: eight hours.
Sources
- The Independentlink