An April conversation between the actor and Sadhguru offers a reason to revisit adult sleep recommendations—and why a personal routine is not medical guidance.
Alia Bhatt’s admission that she sleeps for eight to nine hours prompted a pointed response from Sadhguru during a conversation shared earlier this year: “When will you live?”
The exchange came after Alia asked about his sleep schedule. In a clip published on Sadhguru’s official YouTube channel on April 19, 2026, he described getting by on considerably less sleep. But the contrast between their routines does not mean the actor’s sleep duration is excessive.
The US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends seven to nine hours of sleep a night for adults. Alia’s stated routine sits within that range.
What Alia Bhatt and Sadhguru said about sleep
During the discussion, Sadhguru said he had managed on approximately two-and-a-half to three hours of sleep for many years and was now sleeping roughly four to five hours.
Alia responded by describing her longer routine and questioning how that fitted with the advice that sleep allows the body to recover. She also said she enjoys sleeping and can still want more rest after eight hours. Sadhguru’s response focused on the restfulness people seek and his approach to avoiding stress.
These were personal accounts. They do not establish how much sleep another person needs or whether a very short sleep schedule is safe.
Is nine hours of sleep too much?
Nine hours is not automatically excessive for an adult. Alongside its seven-to-nine-hour recommendation, the NHLBI notes that sleeping longer than nine hours is not necessarily harmful. Extra sleep may be useful for young adults, people recovering from sleep deprivation and those who are ill.
Sleep quality also matters. MedlinePlus explains that interrupted sleep can prevent people from getting enough of certain sleep stages. Difficulty waking, trouble concentrating and dozing during the day can be signs that sleep habits need attention. An interview alone cannot establish why someone feels tired.
Can relaxation replace hours of sleep?
Feeling refreshed after a relaxation exercise is different from demonstrating that it replaces several hours of sleep.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says mindfulness meditation may improve sleep quality. That finding does not establish that a short session can substitute for a full night’s sleep. The agency also advises against using meditation to replace conventional care or delay a medical consultation.
Readers should therefore avoid cutting their sleep to match a public figure’s reported routine.
Recommended sleep duration by age
The CDC lists the following daily recommendations. Younger children’s totals include naps.
| Age | Recommended sleep |
|---|---|
| 4–12 months | 12–16 hours, including naps |
| 1–2 years | 11–14 hours, including naps |
| 3–5 years | 10–13 hours, including naps |
| 6–12 years | 9–12 hours |
| 13–17 years | 8–10 hours |
| 18–60 years | At least 7 hours |
| 61–64 years | 7–9 hours |
| 65 years and older | 7–8 hours |
The CDC stresses that healthy sleep involves both sufficient duration and good quality. Persistent sleep problems deserve a conversation with a healthcare professional.
This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
