Anyone can need a little extra sleep sometimes. However, if you’re constantly getting more than nine hours of sleep per night or you feel exhausted after getting your ideal hours of sleep, something else might be going on. While oversleeping is not a condition, it can be a sign of other chronic illnesses. Additionally, sleeping too much can significantly affect your overall health. Here’s what you need to know to have the right sleeping habits.
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What Happens When You Sleep Too Much
The first thing you need to establish is how much sleep you need. For most people between the ages of 18 and 65, seven to nine hours of sleep per night will be ideal. If you’re pregnant, though, this number may vary.
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Your doctor is the best person to guide you on what your specific needs are. If you’re going over that number consistently, you can develop a few chronic issues over time.
According to recent research, oversleeping can affect how well the brain processes information so you’ll see issues with cognition, brain function, and memory. You may also become more prone to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Interestingly, sleeping longer can impact your sensitivity to pain so it will be a terrible consequence for those who are already dealing with chronic pain. Similarly to too little sleep, those who sleep too much can have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.
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Finally, oversleeping can increase your risk of developing several chronic illnesses or make them worse if you have them.
The list includes diabetes, chronic inflammation, heart disease, and stroke. There is also evidence that you may experience impaired fertility.
Factors That Can Cause Oversleeping
Before you can deal with your oversleeping, it’s important to know what’s causing it. As mentioned before, sleeping too much is only a symptom of a greater issue. In many cases, it can be the result of the medications you’re taking, a neurological disorder, a physical illness, or a sleep disorder. When you tell your doctor that you’re concerned about the amount of sleep you’re getting, they’ll likely want to carry out certain tests. That’s because some conditions are associated with sleep issues.
These conditions include:
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Grinding teeth
- Clenching jaw
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Restless leg syndrome
Note that this list is far from exhaustive, so don’t be surprised if your doctor requests some tests that you weren’t expecting. The key is to stick to the recommended treatment program.
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How To Fight Oversleeping
Of course, the first course of action when dealing with oversleeping is to see your doctor. There are also a few things you can do at home that may help. If you haven’t done it already, a sleep diary can be helpful for both you and your doctor.
The diary makes it easier to spot trends and changes. As contradictory as it may seem, working on a bedtime routine can get you the right amount of sleep.
One of the reasons people oversleep is that they’re not getting the kind of rest they think they are. That’s where the routine comes in. The basics will include going to bed and waking up at a set time, avoiding harsh lighting before bed, practicing relaxation exercises, keeping your bedroom cool, and making sure that your bedding is comfortable.
What you eat and drink will also be important. For example, heavy meals close to bed can interrupt your sleep because your body is still digesting the food. Alcohol is another culprit that you should avoid. Research shows that having a drink before bed can not only disrupt sleep but may also prevent you from achieving deep, restful sleep.
People put a lot of emphasis on the effects of getting too little sleep while often ignoring what can happen on the other end of the scale. If you think you have an issue with oversleeping, it’s never too late to see the doctor. Regardless of what the cause is, early intervention can help to reduce or even eliminate the chronic issues that can result from sleeping too much.
