By Isadora Baum, PopSugar
You may be a night owl or an early riser, but turns out, the stars might have some say in what sleeping patterns you exhibit. And no matter if you're fighting your sign's natural tendencies or not, there might just be a certain number of hours of nightly shut-eye that can keep your body balanced and well, based on the zodiac. (And, get this: the way you meditate for balance is also influenced by your zodiac sign.)
Of course, you're better off listening to your body and the stars here - even if that means hitting the hay earlier than you'd like in order to secure those extra minutes - as you might find yourself getting more sick, tired, or hostile if you're skimping on those zzz's. (And those around you will probably urge you to get some rest, as well.)
Goods news - we found out how many hours you need each night based on your sign in order to avoid being that angry, bitter customer waiting in line at Starbucks on your morning commute.
Aries
An Aries doesn't need much sleep (those lucky ones), but they do need inspiration in order to feel focused, energized, and alert for the day ahead, MacGuire said. "If they have something to attack in the morning, they can survive on very little," he added. This might be a big meeting or presentation, for instance. But if they're not fired up, they'll need a lot more, he cautioned.
Amount: 6.5 hours
Taurus
As an earth sign, Taurus can easily recruit the energy needed for their brain and body through nutrition, exercise, and pure determination. And, get this: too much sleep and it'll backfire, MacGuire said. They'll actually not be at their best because it will establish a status quo, and they could very easily get used to that, he said.
Amount: 7 hours
Gemini
As an air sign, a Gemini needs more sleep than other zodiac signs, so be sure you're going to bed early, especially during the workweek. "Always on the move, Gemini, like a toddler, needs about eight hours. They expend so much energy throughout the day that they should really give themselves a good amount of rest," MacGuire said.
Amount: 8 hours
Cancer
Ruled by the moon and a highly sensitive sign, Cancer needs to process their emotions (and other people's emotions) during sleep, MacGuire said. "They also have to contend with the tides of the ocean and the shifts of the moon, which may disrupt their sleep, so it's best for them to bank up on sleep whenever they have the chance," he said.
Amount: 9 hours
Leo
The cat of the zodiac would ideally get to have catnaps during the day, and if that's possible, six and a half hours will suffice for the Lion. And all they have to do to stay awake and function well, really, is keep themselves entertained, MacGuire said. But all this entertaining can be exhausting, so they should take naps and sleep late whenever they get the chance, he added.
Amount: 6.5 hours
Virgo
The Virgin of the zodiac can outwork everyone, and because they take their time so seriously, they don't like to lose too many minutes sleeping away. Though they may not be keen on losing any time with too much sleep, they'll need a solid seven in order to work so hard without cracking up, MacGuire said. Too little and they'll just be unproductive.
Amount: 7 hours
Libra
Venus-ruled Libra loves sleep. (We can't blame her.) "As an air sign that's other-person centered, sleep might be the only time they can process their own thoughts and feelings and individuate," MacGuire said. Because Libra is always trying to balance people and situations, they need at least eight hours of shut-eye to maintain their promises to others and stay on track.
Amount: 8 hours
Scorpio
A good trait, Scorpio gives their all, doing nothing halfway, MacGuire said. But it's worth mentioning, "Part of their power, however, is their ability to regenerate themselves, which they can do in part by sleep," he said. So unless they get those seven hours, they might not be fully energized and alert in order to be there as needed in the day.
Amount: 7 hours
Sagittarius
Sagittarius should really be able to sleep as late as they want, but there's this thing called work, making them need to get out of bed. And, as typical night owls, they often miss out on the sleep they needed, getting too few hours, MacGuire said. "Because this very expansive sign really stretches their minds and limits, once they finally decompress to sleep, it would be best for them to not have to gear up too soon after the finally coming down," he said. Ideally, they'd have a late-starting job that would let them sleep late.
Amount: 9 hours
Capricorn
This tough cookie doesn't need much sleep because they know life is a challenge, and part of challenge is being exhausted and carrying on anyway. (It's sad but true.) "Sure, eight to nine hours would do them good, but to those ambitious hard workers, that's a pipe dream and not something they'd allow themselves to do," MacGuire said. Good thing they can get by on only a few!
Amount: 6 hours
Aquarius
Aquarius need to get enough sleep to feel balanced, but they prefer to pick their nightly hours based on their own terms and how they're feeling, MacGuire said. "They would like the freedom to sleep when and how long they want, but there's so much to do," he said, making it tough to oversleep. "Seven hours, therefore, is a good balance and necessary for brain health, since they use their minds so very much," he added.
Amount: 7 hours
Pisces
Pisces rules the world of imagination and dreams, so if they don't have enough time to sleep, they may become too imaginative and dreamy in their daily lives, letting their subconscious take over, MacGuire said. And "without enough dream time, they are prone to want to escape in other ways," he cautioned, so be wary of how you might behave if you don't give your body the rest and space it needs during the night.
Amount: 9 hours
