While eight hours of sleep is widely considered the ideal amount for adults, experts agree that it improves cognitive function, mood, and overall health. However, a Japanese man has defied this norm by sleeping only 30 minutes a day for the past 12 years.
Daisuke Hori, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Hyogo prefecture in western Japan, claims to have trained his brain and body to function on minimal sleep. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Hori has managed to reduce his daily sleep to just 30-45 minutes. He asserts that this drastic reduction has significantly enhanced his “work efficiency.”
Hori believes that the quality of sleep matters more than its duration for maintaining focus and productivity at work. “As long as you engage in physical activity or consume coffee an hour before eating, you can ward off drowsiness,” Hori explained to the Hong Kong newspaper. “Those who need sustained focus, such as doctors and firefighters, benefit more from high-quality sleep than from longer sleep periods.”
To scrutinize Hori’s claims, Japan’s Yomiuri TV followed him for three days in a reality show titled Will You Go With Me? During the show, Hori slept for just 26 minutes one night, yet awoke with energy and enthusiasm. He then proceeded with his usual routine, which included breakfast, work, and a session at the gym.
In 2016, Hori founded the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association, aiming to teach others how to reduce their sleep while maintaining their health. One participant claimed that after undergoing the training, she successfully reduced her sleep from eight hours to just 90 minutes and maintained this routine for four years. She also reported being able to take care of her skin and mental health during this period.
Hori’s unconventional approach to sleep challenges the traditional understanding of rest, raising questions about the balance between sleep duration and quality.
