How much sleep do we actually need? The NHS suggests that a healthy adult should ideally get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night for optimal functioning. However, many successful individuals throughout history have claimed that less sleep does not necessarily hinder performance. For instance, former US President Donald Trump once confessed to sleeping only three or four hours each night to stay competitive, while SpaceX founder Elon Musk reportedly sleeps just six hours as part of his rigorous routine.
While such habits may have aided Trump and Musk in their business endeavours, insufficient sleep can have numerous negative impacts on the mental and physical health of the average person. Experts warn that sleep deprivation can exacerbate anxiety and depression, increase the risk of serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, impair cognitive abilities, and even cause unexpected weight gain or loss. This is just scratching the surface, with conditions such as strokes, certain types of cancer and dementia all reported to be more prevalent in those who struggle with sleep.
As a journalist with a background in health and wellbeing, I am well aware of the significance of good sleep habits and their impact on our mind and body. After all, you can only write so much about the late Dr Michael Mosley's health tips before you start incorporating them into your own daily routine. Despite having a fairly decent sleep schedule, there are still d.