Many successful people claim they can function on minimal sleep. But is it due to rare genes, passion-fuelled drive, or harmful sacrifice?
Marissa Mayer, the former CEO of Yahoo, only sleeps four to six hours a night. According to The Daily News, Donald Trump, the US President, gets by on only three to four hours of sleep. And yet, while the rest of us need a solid eight hours to feel vaguely human, these “sleepless elites” are making million-dollar deals, hitting the gym before sunrise, and running the world on fumes. How do they do it?
Are these ultra-achievers genetically blessed, or simply running on caffeine and sheer willpower? Here’s what science (and real life) has to say.
Born Different or A Conscious Sacrifice
Some people make juggling careers, family and personal passions feel like a breeze. They are constantly full of energy, despite sleeping less than the rest of us. What’s going on?
Short Sleeper Syndrome
Yes, it’s not a myth. Not everyone needs eight hours of sleep to function. Some people are literally wired differently. Thanks to a rare genetic mutation in the DEC2 or ADRB1 gene, these people known as short sleepers, can thrive on just four to six hours of sleep without feeling like a zombie.
Natural short sleepers can wake up feeling just as refreshed as someone who’s had a full night’s rest. Better still, there is no evidence that this gene mutation causes any long-term health risks.
Running on Stress and Adrenaline
Stress is a major disruptor of the sleep cycle. Burdened with intense pressure, tight deadlines, and high expectations, many successful people are kept at a constant state of alertness that makes sleep feel less necessary – at least temporarily.
Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol can trick the body to keep going even when they are exhausted. However, it is a ticking time bomb. Chronic stress not only leads to burnout but also sleep disorders, mood disturbances and physical illness.
Fueled by Passion
When someone is truly passionate or enthusiastic about something, sleep often feels like an inconvenience. Ever felt so excited about a project that you lost track of time, and sleep? Your mind was racing with ideas and goals, and you couldn’t wait to dive back into your work. Rest and sleep felt secondary then.
That may be how many high achievers such as entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators feel. They get so immersed in their work that makes sleep take a backseat. Their minds are constantly engaged, making it harder to shut down at night. Their drive can temporarily beat the exhaustion.
Trading Sleep for Time
Many successful people think time is the ultimate currency. Time is particularly critical for those building a business, creating something groundbreaking, or even leading a team. Therefore, they often choose to sacrifice sleep to squeeze more hours into their day.
Some even try extreme sleep schedules, like polyphasic sleep (taking multiple short naps instead of one long snooze) to maximise their productivity. While this might work for a while, but let’s be honest – that it may not be practical for most of us.
Ultimately, most people still need sufficient sleep. With the right strategies, you can sleepmaxx, waking up refreshed to tackle the day better. So, why not?
How Sleep Deprived is Our Society?
Sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly common as people sacrifice rest in the pursuit of achievement.
“Averagely, adults in Asia sleep 6.5 hours on weekdays, while adults in other parts of the world get seven hours of sleep,” shared Assistant Professor June Lo from Centre for Sleep and Cognition at National University Singapore (NUS).
While we are a successful nation in many aspects, Singapore has regrettably made its place as one of the most sleep-deprived countries.
Singapore, in particular, has earned a reputation for being one of the most sleep-deprived countries in the world. According to the HELIOS study, a large-scale community-based health study, Singaporeans average only 6.27 hours of sleep per night – well below the seven-hour minimum recommended for good health.
As we know, sleep deprivation is not just about feeling groggy the next day. Over time, it can lead to weight gain and even accelerate skin ageing, hardly the kind of trade-off anyone wants!
While we may be a productive and fast-paced society, these numbers suggest we’re running ourselves ragged.
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
While some people seem to function on little sleep, the reality is that long-term sleep deprivation comes with serious ill consequences.
Lower Productivity
Struggled to focus and perform after a late night? That’s cognitive fatigue. Lack of sleep messes with your memory, focus, and ability to learn.
Sleep allows your brain to create connections, consolidating memories and information. If you think cutting down sleep can make you more productive, well – you might be working longer, but you are not working smarter.
Mental Health Decline
Remember how grumpy you were after that all-night K-drama binge? Yes, not getting enough sleep can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression over time.
Mental health takes a serious hit when sleep is sacrificed long-term. If you experience symptoms like hallucinations or even suicidal thoughts, see a doctor immediately.
Physical Health Risks
Pulling all-nighters weakens your immune system. Without sufficient sleep, the body fails to produce infection-fighting substances to combat bacteria and viruses.
Besides, sleeping less than you need over the long term puts you at greater risks of getting diabetes, heart diseases and stroke, and even shorten your lifespan.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Yes, some highly successful people can survive (and even thrive) on little sleep. However, for most of us, sleep is still essential to keep us sharp and healthy.
The real secret to success? It’s not about working more hours; it’s about working smarter, and that starts with a well-rested mind and body.
With so many downsides tied to poor sleep, maybe it’s time we stopped wearing our exhaustion like a badge of honour and started treating rest as the biological necessity it truly is.
References
- 18 Successful People That Get By On Barely Any Sleep. Business Insider. Updated: 20 August 2017. https://www.businessinsider.in/strategy/18-successful-people-that-get-by-on-barely-any-sleep/slidelist/23468019.cms
- Short Sleeper Syndrome. Cleveland Clinic. Updated: 25 December 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/short-sleeper-syndrome-sss
- What Happens When You Sleep: Journey Through The Sleep Stages. Medical Channel Asia. Updated: 8 January 2025. https://medicalchannelasia.com/what-happens-when-you-sleep-journey-through-the-sleep-stages/
- Stress and Insomnia. Sleep Foundation. Updated: 16 November 2023. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/stress-and-insomnia
- What is Polyphasic Sleep, and Is It Safe? Healthline. Updated: 11 January 2021. https://www.healthline.com/health/polyphasic-sleep
- Sleepmaxxing to Get Quality Zs. Medical Channel Asia. Updated: 14 February 2025. https://medicalchannelasia.com/sleepmaxxing-to-get-quality-zs/
- Many in Singapore struggle to get a good night’s sleep – and this is detrimental not just to individuals. Channel News Asia. Updated: 17 January 2025. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/big-read/sleep-deprivation-health-productivity-risks-4862566
- Why Are Singaporeans So Sleep Deprived? Medical Channel Asia. Updated: 24 February 2025. https://medicalchannelasia.com/why-are-singaporeans-so-sleep-deprived/
- The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body. Healthline. Updated: 23 August 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body#effects
