It’s common knowledge that not getting enough sleep is detrimental to many aspects of life, but what about getting too much sleep? Can that even happen? Well, you know what they say about too much of a good thing. As it turns out, getting too much sleep can cause a plethora of issues, and there are a lot of things that could be causing the problem. But exactly how much sleep is too much?
What is oversleeping?
The right amount of sleep can be a tricky thing to nail down, as some people feel great after only 7 hours, while some may need 9 or more. That being said, most studies show that sleeping over 9 hours is considered a long sleep for most adults. Sleeping in a little on the weekends is totally normal, but if you are regularly getting more than 9 hours of sleep a night and are still not feeling rested, then it may be worth investigating.
What problems can stem from too much sleep?
While doing research on how to get the perfect amount of sleep, researchers noticed that oversleeping was correlated with many health problems. Several trends emerged that linked oversleeping with increased rates of mortality and depression. Research also links oversleeping with cognitive impairment, increased pain, impaired fertility, higher risk of obesity and heart disease, higher risk of stroke, and just higher all-around mortality rates. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a Spanish study has recently linked long sleepers with increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s and dementia. A recent twin study has shown that oversleeping or under-sleeping increased the genetic heritability of depressive symptoms when being compared to normal sleepers. Another study that focused on adults showed that people who slept for 10 hours a night reported worse overall mental wellbeing. The bottom line here is clear: always set an alarm.
When to see a professional
For many people, there can be underlying conditions that cause them to oversleep, so it’s hard to tell if they just need to sleep less, or if there is something that could be causing them to sleep more than normal. Don’t wait for the problem to worsen! If you are unsure of the cause of your oversleeping, it may be time for you to ask a professional.
Sleep center Jacksonville, FL
Here at Jax Sleep Center, we are dedicated to making sure everyone gets the night’s rest they deserve. If you’ve been having trouble staying awake during the day, sleeping at night, or feel like you aren’t getting the night’s rest you need, we have a solution for you. If you want to know more or set up an appointment with a sleep specialist in Jacksonville, FL, then visit our website at https://jaxsleepcenter.com/.
