A Japanese entrepreneur named Daisuke Hori, 40, from Hyogo Prefecture, has maintained a sleep routine of just 30 minutes per day for the past 12 years, aiming to “double” his life. Hori asserts that he has trained his body and brain to function normally on minimal sleep, which he believes has significantly boosted his work efficiency.
Typically, the human body needs around 6-8 hours of sleep for optimal health, with inadequate sleep negatively affecting mood and daily functioning. Experts agree that consistently getting 6-8 hours of sleep enhances mood, cognitive function, and overall health. However, Daisuke Hori’s sleep routine challenges this conventional wisdom. His unique sleep regimen and its purported benefits were featured in the South China Morning Post.
According to the media reports Hori stated, “As long as you exercise or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can stave off drowsiness.” He contends that high-quality sleep is crucial for maintaining focus, particularly for individuals who require sustained concentration in their work. He also mentioned that professionals like doctors and firefighters benefit from high-quality sleep despite having shorter rest periods. He further explained that People who require sustained concentration benefit more from high-quality sleep than from prolonged sleep. For instance, doctors and firefighters may have shorter rest periods but maintain high efficiency.
To investigate Hori’s claims further, Japan’s Yomiuri TV featured him in a three-day reality show titled Will You Go With Me? The show reported that Hori once slept for just 26 minutes and then woke up with enthusiasm, went to work after breakfast, and hit the gym.
In 2016, Hori embarked on a new venture and founded the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association. One participant of the association reported reducing her sleep from eight hours to only 90 minutes after undergoing the training and followed this routine for four years. She also claimed to have maintained her skin health and mental well-being.