SP:

A lot of us feel comfortable with less sleep. I don't think there is a "normal" for all of us. For me, 6 hours or so has always been "normal", and it still is. My wife needs 8-9 AND may nap in the afternoon, too, regardless of what we do. However, caffeine CAN be a killer! I no longer eat chocolate, drink coffee or drink a diet Coke after noon!

I quietly get up, if need be, and sometimes can then go baclto sleep after a cookie or something.

Vermonter