Harden Elkington
Have you ever wondered what happens if you sleep too much?
You can read many articles and essays on the benefits of getting enough sleep, but what about the flip side – sleeping too much?
Is it even possible to do that?
What would happen to your body, how would you feel? This article will answer those questions.
How Much Sleep Is Too Much?
The amount of sleep that is considered too much varies from person to person.
For some, sleeping nine or 10 hours a night may be excessive, while others might need that much sleep to feel their best.
According to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2015 Sleep in America poll, people who reported sleeping more than nine hours a night were more likely to be overweight, have high blood pressure and experience difficulty concentrating during the day.
So, how do you know if you’re getting too much sleep?
If you’re nodding off during the day – whether at work, during a meeting, or while driving – you’re probably getting too much sleep.
What Happens If You Sleep Too Much?
If you’re sleeping more than the recommended seven to eight hours per night, you may be putting your health at risk. Sleeping too much can lead to a number of health problems, including:
- Weight gain – People who sleep more than nine hours a night are more likely to be overweight.
- High blood pressure – Sleeping too much can increase blood pressure levels.
- Difficulty concentrating – When you’re exhausted, it’s difficult to focus on anything else but get some sleep. This can lead to problems at work or school.
- Depression – People who sleep too much are more likely to experience depression.
- Diabetes – Studies have shown that people who sleep too much are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
- Stroke – Sleeping too much can increase your risk of having a stroke.
- Disease – Sleeping too much can weaken your immune system, opening the door for disease.
What Is the Negative Impact of Oversleeping on Mental Health?
Too much sleep can negatively impact your mental health, too.
Sleep deprivation has been known to lead to psychosis, hallucinations and other psychiatric problems.
People who are sleep-deprived are more likely to become aggressive or display violent behavior due to the lack of serotonin in their brains.
What Causes You to Sleep Too Much?
There are several factors that can cause you to sleep too much.
In most cases, sleeping more than usual is a side effect of another health condition or medication. Some common causes include:
Sleep Disorders
If you have a sleep disorder, such as insomnia, you may find yourself sleeping more than usual. Similarly, people with narcolepsy often sleep for excessive periods of time.
Medical Conditions
People with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and chronic pain, may also sleep too much. This is because their conditions make it difficult for them to get quality sleep at night.
Depression & Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can also lead to excessive sleep. When you’re feeling down, you may find yourself wanting to crawl into bed and sleep for hours on end.
- See also: What would happen if you didn’t sleep
- See also: What will happen if you have too many red blood cells
How to Get Enough Sleep
If you’re not getting the recommended amount of sleep, there are things you can do to make sure you are getting enough shut-eye.
- Set a sleep schedule – Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including on the weekends. This will help your body know when it’s time to start winding down.
- Limit caffeine intake – Caffeine is not only found in coffee, soda and tea, but also in foods like chocolate and ice cream. Limit your caffeine intake to before noon so it won’t keep you up at night.
- Avoid watching TV or using the computer in bed – The blue light from screens can keep you awake. If you need something to do in bed, read a book instead.
- Exercise – Exercise releases endorphins, which can make you feel tired. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
- Avoid napping – If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, avoid taking naps during the day. Napping can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
The takeaway: Sleeping too much can lead to a number of health problems, including weight gain, high blood pressure and difficulty concentrating.
If you’re nodding off during the day – whether at work, during a meeting, or while driving – you’re probably getting too much sleep.
Set a sleep schedule, limit your caffeine intake and avoid napping if you need help falling asleep at night.
Conclusion
So, sleeping too much can have a negative impact on your health in a number of ways. It can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating and depression.
It’s important to get the recommended amount of sleep each night so you can stay healthy and feel your best.
Do you feel like you sleep too much? What do you think causes this? Let us know in the comments below.
