6 Hours of Sleep is Not Enough

You may have heard recent news reports saying that researchers have identified a family with a genetic mutation that causes members to require only six hours sleep a night. However, that gene is vanishingly rare in humans, found in less than 3 percent of people.

So, almost all people who says they needs only six hours' sleep are deluding themselves. And the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation are serious -- sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in motor vehicle accidents, deficiencies in short-term memory, focus and attention. It's also tied to depressed mood and a decrease in the ability to control appetite.

The only real answer is to sleep as much as your body actually needs.