The 8-8-8 rule

[stevej37]

Someone on here mentioned this rule the other day for ones health.
The first two 8's (work and play) are easy....it's the last 8 (sleep) that are impossible for me.

I don't think I've slept over 5 hrs in one night..in the last 5 years. I always fall asleep within a few minutes when ready and never notice being tired during the wake hours.

The closest I came to 8 hrs was two years ago when I was in a bike accident and stayed overnight in the hospital with a fractured femur. Did not sleep at all that night..next night at home..6hrs of sleep..then wide awake.

Is it really that important to get those full 8 hrs of sleep?
What's the norm for the rest of you guys? (I wanted to post a poll...gave up.!)

[Evans, Marv]

Lots of nights I do the same as you. 4 - 5 hours of sleep & awake. I also don't feel tired during the day & also try to increase the amount of sleep I get. Sometimes I can get a bit more and consider it an important thing. My doc prescribed Lorazopam some years ago, which I use once every week or two and find it ocassionally resets my sleep pattern for a few nights. It's something given to people before medical procedures to calm their anxiety - not a sleeping pill. I just try to do the best I can.

[flatbutt]

Since I reached my later 60's I find sleep more difficult to achieve. Even though I remain active, ride my bicycle nearly every other day I still have difficulty falling asleep. I usually get thru the night undisturbed but still tough to yield to Morpheus.

[wdfifteen]

I have huge sleep issues. I've tried all kinds of things and finally hit on a system that seems to be helping.

1. no booze after 7:00 PM
2. take 10 mg of Melatonin at 7:00
3. Take a 1 mg Terazosin and my usual blood pressure meds at 8:30
4. Go to bed in a DARK room at 9:00
5. When I wake up in the middle of the night, if it's before 3AM take 1/2 an Ambien (5mg)
6. Keep a sleep log.

In July I bought a fitbit that tracks my sleep. It helps to quantify what is happening to me.

I started a sleep log about a month ago. I started the above regimen Aug 1st and there is a marked improvement in the amount of sleep I get. I have just had to accept that if I'm going to get 8 hrs of sleep I have to commit 10 hours to the effort.
The Terazosin is a mild sedative and it also helps with BPH. I only wake up to pee maybe once or twice a night - down from 4 times.

[stevej37]

Nice to hear I'm not the only one with this habit.

I think when I was still working (7 yrs ago), it was easier to sleep later because I knew what my day was going to be like.
Now..the first thing that enters my mind after waking is....what do I want to do today?
So...I think the enthusiasm for the coming day enters into the pic. Which I think is a good thing.
When the enthusiasm is gone....bye-bye!

[stevej37]

wdfifteen....what is the G column for? Minutes awake?
Minutes before you fell asleep?

[vash]

I’m sorry guys. Sounds awful.

Me? I get 8+ easy. The trick for me is to eat dinner early. Around 5:30 is ideal. I will tootle around the house doing things. Maybe walk dog. My mind wanders and thinks about sleep starting at 8:30. Cleanup (body and house). Off to bed. I’m out till 5:30ish. In bed by 9.

Funny. I get up to pee at 2:13 (give or take a few minutes) pretty much every night. I fall back to sleep like someone hit a switch.

I don’t know how or when I got into this routine, but I’ll try to maintain it forever. I didn’t work all week. Stay-cation, and I forced myself to bed every night. No late night TV. It’s easy to slip into vampire mode. My coworkers and friends know not to call me - they know I am an early sleeper.

Crap - I have a couple of nights erecting bridge girders on the night shift this week. I supervise, but I hate asking people to work nights when I’m not willing myself. I’ll be screwed for a few days afterwards. Boo!

In summary: force yourself into a routine.

[Baz]

That was me who mentioned it.

I was working as a full time gardener on his winter estate in Port Royal, Naples for the man who started Cable Vision Industries, and who lived most of the year in Liberty, NY.

Alan Gerry started building a cable TV network in upstate New York in 1956. It became Cablevision Industries, which at its peak had 64 cable systems in 18 states. Gerry sold Cablevision Industries to Time Warner in 1996 for a reported $2.7 billion; he pocketed an estimated $900 million.

After about a year I moved on and into a sales management position with Lesco. Inc - one of the leading Green Industry suppliers, where I worked for the next 10 years.

Alan had a person in town (Naples) who owned his own cleaning business and who also acted as Alan's contact person and coordinator of all things pertaining to his winter estate.

Willis and I happened to be talking one day about how to fit everything possible into a day.

That's when he shared with me what you, Steve, are calling the 8-8-8 rule.

40 years later and it has stuck with me as one of those theories that makes a lot of sense but good luck trying to adhere to it.

[stevej37]

^^^
I remembered it..but couldn't find the thread.

So...how many hours is your average sleep?

[Venetian]

I am not a great sleeper which I find frustrating. I sleep 5-7 hours a night. Wake up at least 2-3 times and often have trouble falling back asleep. Always awake by 5 AM even though I could sleep all day if I chose too. Often take small doses(1/4 pill) of Zopiclone which helps....maybe psychological? I can't say I wake up refreshed but make it thru the day OK often with a 20 min afternoon nap.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Someone on here mentioned this rule the other day for ones health.
The first two 8's (work and play) are easy....it's the last 8 (sleep) that are impossible for me.

I don't think I've slept over 5 hrs in one night..in the last 5 years. I always fall asleep within a few minutes when ready and never notice being tired during the wake hours.

The closest I came to 8 hrs was two years ago when I was in a bike accident and stayed overnight in the hospital with a fractured femur. Did not sleep at all that night..next night at home..6hrs of sleep..then wide awake.

Is it really that important to get those full 8 hrs of sleep?
What's the norm for the rest of you guys? (I wanted to post a poll...gave up.!)

Some folks actually have a gene where they don't sleep as much as other folks, and they don't need the sleep that they are missing.

8 hours is a general guideline, but everyone is different.

I used to function on less. pretty much all of the time, but I like to shoot for 8 and keep it above 7 if possible these days.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^
I remembered it..but couldn't find the thread.

So...how many hours is your average sleep?

He ended up buying the original Woodstock property. Here he is with Richie Havens.



Back to your question - I have no set sleep period - am not married so have a lot of flexibility in my lifestyle. I try to get 8 hours but sometimes it's only 6-7, depending on what's going on. Rarely is it ever >8.

If I ever have any trouble sleeping I will turn the thermostat down one notch and/or turn on a fan. The cooler it is the better I sleep. Like a bear, I guess....

[john70t]

I think the 'normal' rhythm is five sets of phases in 3 hour sections. Times three.
-The collected venous blood from the legs needs to return and get filtered.
-The spinal fluid needs to be pumped up. Some people are an inch taller in the morning.

Churchill was known for 15 min catnaps which seemed to work for him.
I knew of other high-functioning intellectuals who only needed 3 hrs sleep.
Some can multi-task and skip phases.

The variables are endless.
"Do what feels natural". That's my final answer.

[GH85Carrera]

I get at least 8 hours, often 9hours of sleep. Until I turned 60 it was close my eyes and a few seconds later it was time to get up. Time travel for me. After age 60 my bladder usually wakes me up at 4:00 AM. One quick trip and that is taken care of, back to sleep until the alarm on my wife's iPad goes off.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

wdfifteen....what is the G column for? Minutes awake?
Minutes before you fell asleep?

Minutes awake after falling asleep. There are 5 minute pee wakening times 2-3 times a night and a big block of time, usually somewhere between midnight and 3 AM.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

One of the big problems is the “8” for work turns into 9-10 easy. Then all your “to do” crap comes out of what’s left. It either means less play time / “me” time or less sleep. The rule is a bit misleading - it should be 12-6-6 in reality. 12 hours for work (including a lunch break and commute), 6 hours for sleep and 6 hours for everything else - kids, meals, errands, etc.

I know technically 6 hours isn’t enough sleep but I’ve been doing it for years. I feel a need fo get out and do something for myself every day (bike ride, surf, swim, hit the gym, whatever) and if it means I have to cut an hour or two of sleep time so be it... l

Life isn’t meant to be slept away. My cats do that for me (surrogate sleepers)

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by masraum

Some folks actually have a gene where they don't sleep as much as other folks, and they don't need the sleep that they are missing.

8 hours is a general guideline, but everyone is different.

I used to function on less. pretty much all of the time, but I like to shoot for 8 and keep it above 7 if possible these days.

I wouldn't care about it, but with the days getting shorter...I find myself awake a couple hours before daylight. If I try to stay awake later at night...it never works.

[ckelly78z]

8-8-8 rule ? At least 10 hours are devoted to work every day between time on the job, and the commute. Once I get home, I am not in play mode, I usually have other projects that need attention, a dinner that needs fixing and eaten, and then relaxing on the couch for an hour before bed. On a rare occasion, we will take the paddleboards out, or I will ride the dirtbike, but certainly not for 8 hours. I get about 6-6.5 hours of sleep a night, and maybe another hour on weekends, but hardly ever a full 8 hours.

My alarm is set for 4:20 am whether I slink into bed at midnight, or fall into bed at 9 pm.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Is it really that important to get those full 8 hrs of sleep?

It's probably different for different people and it is definitely is age related. I used to get by on less sleep that I can now, and I didn't notice a big difference in my performance the next day if I pulled a 4 hour night.
Now, it makes a huge difference in my mood and my level of energy the next day. Just my observation, but I think I can accomplish more on a day when I get up at 7 AM after 8 hours of sleep than if I get up at 5 AM with 6 hrs.

[sammyg2]

I haven't gotten 8 hours of sleep in one night in years. Average sleep fer me is about 5 1/2 per night. 6 hours is considered sleeping in, but I sneak in the occasional 1/2 hour nap during that day.
That seems to be enough for me.
It;s never been a problem except my wife is zackly opposite, she'd sheep to noon if she could.
I have to get up and be quiet in the morning or go outside for something to do.