We know that getting too little Sleep is detrimental to one’s health. But what about sleeping in excessive amounts?
If you sleep enough each night, you are probably getting enough Sleep. However, if you sleep for fewer than seven hours or over nine hours each night, you may get too little Sleep.
Getting too little sleep is harmful to one’s health; however, overdoing it might show something wrong with a person. If you need over 9 hours of Sleep each night, it might signify that you have sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or even depression.
It is advisable to consult with a doctor and get any questions answered.
- Consistently sleeping for over nine hours may indicate a disruption in the sleep-wake cycle.
- Hypersomnia often goes unnoticed because its symptoms overlap with general fatigue.
- Oversleeping can alter serotonin levels, impacting mood regulation.
- Excessive napping during the day may unintentionally increase overall sleep needs.
- Circadian rhythm misalignment can be triggered by inconsistent sleep patterns.
- Sleep duration extremes (too little or too much) are associated with decreased immune function.
- Light exposure therapy is a potential treatment for hypersomnia-related disorders.
How sleep deprivation may harm your health; we’ll examine that in this article.
How Much Sleep is Good?
Individuals have different sleep requirements. If a person sleeps 9 hours or more and awakens with energy, a pleasant mood, and no other symptoms, they should not be concerned.
The opposite is true: excessive Sleep may be a symptom of another issue. Apart from being tired, you should see a doctor if you are experiencing any additional symptoms, such as depression or other pain and excessive napping.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, teenagers and persons suffering from certain conditions may need more sleep than the recommended 9 hours each night.
Why Do Some People Sleep More?
You might have noticed that the quantity of Sleep we need might alter throughout our lives. Individual variables, such as overall health and exercise, should also be considered as environmental influences.
In adults, meanwhile, authorities recommend at least 7 hours of Sleep a night, if not more.
Whether working late at night on a project or preparing for a test, we usually sleep in till late the following morning. The body strives to restore itself and obtain the rest we have denied because we have neglected it.
Is Sleeping A Lot Always a Disease?
Hypersomnia, often known as “prolonged sleep,” is described as a demand for excessive Sleep that cannot be met by other means. It is not regarded as a medical condition but as a symptom. This disease or disorder is believed to afflict around 2% of the population.
Some people may need as much as 12 hours of Sleep every night to operate effectively.
When someone suffers from hypersomnia, they often wake up during their Sleep. Even if you do not recollect the awakenings, you may feel unrefreshed for a long time after them. The beginning of this sleep disorder is often seen in children.
If the tiredness starts in maturity, something else is probably at play.
Is it Harmful to Sleep FOr More Than 8 Hours?
It might signify something more severe if you frequently fall asleep for extended periods.
Disease
When we feel ill, our inclination encourages us to sleep more and stay in bed. People who get a lot of sleep tend to recover more rapidly.
Depression
People having depression may have difficulty sleeping. Others may sleep excessively. Sleep difficulties may exacerbate depression.
Sleep Apnea
Breathing is disrupted for 10-20 seconds during Sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It results in abrupt awakenings, which contribute to daytime drowsiness.
Narcolepsy
An unusual condition characterized by a fast start of Sleep, a decrease in muscular tone, and nightmares. Most people suffer drowsiness at some point throughout the day.
Oversleeping Causes Medical Issues
Headaches
Over-sleeping has been a major contributing factor to headaches, and it can cause symptoms like drowsiness, fatigue, and even dizziness. It’s challenging to stay up late one night and get up early the next.
It is because oversleeping leads to long periods of sleep deprivation, and it can also lead to fatigue, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Back pain
Sleeping for too long can lead to back pain. Sleep is essential for the right time and not more than that. Studies show that sleeping over 10 hours daily is associated with a higher risk of back pain.
Oversleeping can lead to health issues, including fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, and poor concentration.
Diabetes
Oversleeping can also impact diabetes in some ways. It has been shown that people with diabetes who oversleep have an increased risk of having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when they wake up.
It means they may need to eat more food or take more insulin than usual to compensate for the lack of glucose in their bloodstream.
Consequences of Sleeping Too Much
For people with hypersomnia, sleeping too much can cause the following problems:
- Anxiety
- Low energy
- Memory problems
Similarly, persons who fall asleep at the wheel may be at an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle accident.
The best way to get a good night’s Sleep and stay healthy is to keep your circadian rhythm in check by going to bed and getting up at the exact times every day, including on the weekends. To get your day off to a good start, it’s essential to get some natural light in the morning.
Even while obtaining adequate Sleep is unquestionably essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sleeping excessively might indicate the presence of an underlying health condition.
Seeing a doctor is an excellent option if you usually sleep more than 9 hours a night but don’t feel refreshed.
Takeaway
Sleep is as necessary for human survival as food and water. Sleep influences every aspect of our physiology and psychology. It affects our cognitive abilities, mood, memory, physical health, and well-being.
If you need over 9 hours of Sleep each night, it might signify that you have sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or even depression. It is advisable to consult with a doctor and get questions answered. People who suffer from it may need 10 to 12 hours of Sleep every night to feel well. It might signify something more severe if you frequently fall asleep for extended periods.
That’s why so many people are turning to apps and other sleep-tracking methods to help them get a better night’s rest.
From tracking the time it takes to fall asleep to monitoring the quality of their slumber, these apps can help you get the Sleep you need to stay healthy.