Dakota Johnson’s preference for at least 10 hours of sleep has renewed a wider conversation about rest, demanding work schedules and how much sleep adults may actually need. The actress first described sleep as her top priority in a December 2023 profile with WSJ. Magazine, explaining that she does not feel functional with less than 10 hours and can sometimes sleep for as long as 14.
What Johnson said about her sleep habits
Johnson’s comments attracted attention because they run against a culture in which getting little sleep is often presented as evidence of ambition or productivity. On days when she is not working, she said she avoids setting a strict wake-up time and instead allows her body to determine how long she rests.
She later addressed the reaction during a January 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Johnson clarified that being able to sleep for 14 hours does not mean she requires or demands that amount every day. She also pointed out that she has a job, making clear that exceptionally long periods of rest are a possibility rather than a fixed condition of her schedule.
Her routine extends beyond sleep. Johnson practices transcendental meditation twice daily and incorporates breathwork, Pilates, hot yoga and low-impact exercise into her schedule. She has also described baths and water as grounding. These habits form part of a broader approach to managing anxiety and the irregular demands of acting, including early call times and overnight filming.
How 10 hours compares with general guidance
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Many adults function well with between seven and nine hours, while teenagers are generally advised to aim for eight to 10.
However, sleep requirements are not identical for everyone. Psychologists Shelby Harris and Sarah Silverman note that some adults are naturally long sleepers and may feel their best after nine or 10 hours. The more useful measure is not simply the number of hours spent in bed, but whether a person feels refreshed and able to function during the day.
Sleeping for more than roughly 10 hours can leave some people feeling groggy. Consistently sleeping for 12 to 14 hours while still experiencing fatigue may also point to an underlying concern such as hypersomnia, untreated depression or sleep apnea.
Why the distinction matters
Johnson’s remarks do not establish a universal target for sleep. Her reference to 14 hours appears to describe something she can do, potentially after a demanding production schedule, rather than what she needs every night. Her broader point is that rest has a central place in how she protects her wellbeing.
For others, the key distinction is how extended sleep affects daily life. Feeling restored after a longer night may reflect an individual sleep pattern. Regularly sleeping for unusually long periods and remaining exhausted is different and may warrant a conversation with a doctor rather than an attempt to imitate a celebrity routine.
Source: Grazia USA
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