text: how do you figure out how much sleep you need? before i retired, i definitely didn't get enough sleep - i was falling asleep whenever i got a chance to sit down.  but now that i'm retired, i think i may sleep too much. this is more of a medical question which only your doctor can answer.  personally, my problem was sleep apnia.  i was unaware that i was awakening every few minutes.  they discovered this at a sleep clinic, and i now use what they call a "cpap" machine when i sleep.  i now sleep very well and do not need as much sleep as i had thought.