Ah, sleep: Studies have consistently shown that getting enough of it is crucial to our health, but from our pets to politics, it always seems like we’re coming up short. Sleep deprivation has real consequences too — whether it’s hurting your relationship, encouraging overeating, or just making you super grouchy. But what’s the magic number to wake up feeling rested? It’s different for everyone, so to figure out how much sleep you really need, check out our zodiac list below. (Or, you know, consult your doctor.)
Aries (March 20-April 19)
Seven Will Do: Your days are always super busy, Aries, fueled by that trademark never-ending energy you seem to have. You really don’t like slowing down for anything — including sleep! But just be sure to give yourself time for enough hours to recharge for another day of ass-kicking. Your determination will thank you in the morning.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
A Good Eight and a Half: Stability, luxury, and calm reign in your world, Taurus. You feel happiest at home, so a long night’s sleep in your comfy bed is always a high priority. This is especially necessary since you often spend your days gardening, cooking, or otherwise connecting with the Earth — gotta have extra rest for all that effort.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Either Six or Nine, No In-Between: No shade, Gemini, but consistency has never really been your thing. You’re always flitting from one project to the next book, one idea to the next dinner party with little in the way of a set sleep schedule. This means you’re constantly making up for lost sleep with a balance between short nights and late sleep-ins. You’re the most adaptable sign we know, so it always works out for you in the end.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
A Deep Nine and a Half: TBH, your bed is kinda your favorite place in the world, isn’t it, Cancer? You love to be alone and live for the quiet, so bedtime is the best time in your book. You’ve got your nighttime self-care ritual on lock and luxuriate in spending time journaling in bed before lights-out to work through your many moods of the day. This routine, with the extra sleep, lets you recharge and reenergize that sensitive soul of yours.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Six and a half to feel refreshed: A mere six and a half hours of sleep would make a lot of people totally grumpy — but not you, Leo. That naturally cheerful demeanor of yours somehow subsists on a lighter sleep schedule, which gives you more time to hang out with friends, attend the theater, practice with your band, or enjoy whatever other creative endeavor you have on tap.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Exactly Seven Hours and Forty-Seven Minutes: Hey, no one ever accused you of being imprecise, Virgo. You’ve got an analytical, practical mind and have worked out exactly how much sleep you need to work just as hard the next day. This particular perfectionist tendency helps keep you healthy and sharp (though we can’t say the same for your color-coded pantry shelves!).
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Seven and a Half: Life is all about balance for you, Libra, and this includes your beauty sleep. It’s not often you get all eight hours, since your demanding social life means lots of late nights, but you squeeze in seven and a half when you can. It’s never hard for you to fall asleep, either — we know how much you love nice things, and those luxe sheets are a one-way ticket to snoozeville.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
A Luxurious 10: When you do anything, you do it with intensity, Scorpio — even sleeping. You’re all about an extra-long night’s sleep, since all that rest means more energy to work out all your trademark passion during the daytime hours.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Depends on the Jet Lag: As a world traveler with a jam-packed social calendar, you’re never sure what time zone you’re in, let alone how much sleep you need, right, Sag? You’re more interested in having fun adventures with new people — you’ll sleep when you’re dead. But a soft hotel bed never hurt anyone.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Full Eight: Every day is another opportunity to achieve another goal, but every Cap knows you’re only as successful as your previous night’s sleep. As someone who always has somewhere to go and something to accomplish, you require serious rest (we get it!). Plus, you live for tradition, so getting the recommended eight hours sleep per night speaks to your rule-following self.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Five, Seven, Eight, Nine, Who Knows: Honestly, figuring out how many hours of sleep you need is the last way you want to spend your time. You’re a restless spirit with a wandering mind — you go to bed when you’re tired and wake up when you’re rested. Sleeping any other way seems kind of silly. That’s our independent Aquarius!
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
At Least Nine: That incredible intuition and savvy sixth sense is such a gift, Pisces, albeit an exhausting one. You exert an awful lot of mental and emotional energy every day, reading other people’s auras and nurturing your artistic spirit. All this to say: You need a lot of rest! Nine hours of sleep is the only way you can get through the next day feeling whole.
Tweet us to let us know how much sleep you need every night to feel rested @BritandCo.
(Photos via Getty)