We spend a third of our lives asleep , but most of us do n't pay attention to what our mind and body actually need during these resting hours in order to feel refreshed every day . The Sleep Health Foundation have released a study reporting that 30 percent of Australians complain about their lack of sleep on a daily basis . According to Chair Professor David Hillman , those misplaced hours of sleep must be paid back in order to be functional for the entire week . A study has outlined that 30 percent of Australians complain about their lack of sleep on a daily basis . The average adult needs around eight hours of sleep per night with a range of seven to nine . The average amount of sleep for an adult is around eight hours , with a range of seven to nine , the ABC have reported . Any less than six hours or any more than 10 hours is unusual for the standard person . Professor Hillman added that our sleep pattern is influenced by how much we are willing to compromise from the work week . ' A lot of us pay back a bit of that debt on the weekend but I think it 's possible to exist in a sort of tolerable , sleep-restricted state , ' he said . 'In other words you 're not optimal , but you 're still functional . ' Pushing these sleep-debt boundaries can lead to micro sleeps in certain people . Therefore , the hours must be paid back to avoid an error rate in alertness tasks . Any less than six or any more than ten hours is unusual for the standard person . If power napping , it is important to get no more than 20 minutes or inertia will set in . In relation to a sleep schedule , Professor Hillman said the eight hours per night does not necessarily need to be consecutive . 'Interestingly enough , your slow wave sleep , is in the first four hours , ' he said . 'Most adults , the most convenient way our particular society is organised is to have your eight hours in a continuous block overnight but that 's not a necessary thing . ' If choosing to break up your eight hours of sleep , napping throughout the day is the answer . Professor Hillman advises 20 minute power naps to avoid falling into deep sleep and suffering from inertia which makes you feel temporarily worse off . 'The longer naps , you get the sleep inertia but ultimately once you 've got up , they sustain you better , ' he said . Professor Hillman has also advised that if you are waking up tired and fatigued it could be due to sleep apnoea which is often associated with snoring .
The Sleep Foundation study has shown that adults need the first 4 hours of sleep . According to the study , 30 percent of Australians say they lack sleep daily . Professor David Hillman said it 's important to pay back our sleep debts . He also says sleep can be broken up as long as you get 8 hours . Power naps should not be longer than 20 minutes or inertia will set in .