Some people struggle to fall asleep. Yet, others could sleep all day if they could. But is there such a thing as sleeping too much? And what could be causing your need for so much sleep?
Why do I sleep for so long?
Sleeping for long periods of time can be caused by many factors. Here are just some potential causes of your oversleeping habits:
- Sleep apnea: This sleeping disorder causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start. Even if you sleep for 7-9 hours, you’ll still feel tired due to interruptions in your breathing.
- Bruxism: Like sleep apnea, bruxism can affect the quality of your sleep. It's the disruption that happens when someone grinds their teeth while they’re asleep.
- Restless leg syndrome: Someone with restless legs syndrome will get an uncontrollable urge to move their legs. This can happen while you’re asleep, which can be tiring.
- Narcolepsy: Feeling chronically sleepy during the day can be a sign of narcolepsy. You need to get assessed by a sleep specialist before you receive an official narcolepsy diagnosis.
- Delayed sleep phase syndrome: When you have this syndrome, your biological clock keeps you up at night when you should be sleeping instead. This makes it likely that you’ll want to sleep in for several hours in the morning.
- Idiopathic hypersomnia: This disorder causes excessive sleepiness, but researchers aren’t sure why or what causes it.
- Burnout: Burnout is a state of stress and exhaustion brought on from the workplace. One of the signs of burnout is over-tiredness.
If you’re uncertain about what could be causing you to sleep for so long, make sure to consult your physician. Some of these factors, like sleep apnea or burnout, can lead to more severe issues if left untreated.
What happens if you get too much sleep
According to a 2014 survey, getting too much sleep isn’t as severe as getting too little sleep. This research found that getting too much sleep could increase someone’s risk of becoming overweight or obese. They also found a link between over-sleepers and a higher rate of psychiatric disorders.
On the other hand, too little sleep was linked to the same risks in addition to risks of heart problems, diabetes, and other health concerns.
So while getting too much sleep may prevent you from being more active, you shouldn’t have to worry if other aspects of your life aren’t affected by it.
How much sleep is too much sleep?
Is there a line between a lot of sleep and too much sleep? It depends on your age and personal health. The CDC recommends for adults aged between 18 and 60 to get 7 or more hours of sleep per night, while teenagers need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day. Those older than 64 should aim to get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep.
The study discussed above considered anyone who sleeps over 10 hours a day to be “long sleepers”. But 10 hours could be just perfect for some people, like athletes or students.
If you don’t have any health condition that affect your sleep, of the best ways to reduce oversleeping is to sleep better overall. You’ll need fewer hours of sleep if every hour consists of higher quality sleep. If good sleep is a constant struggle, consider trying the BetterSleep app to get a personalized sleep experience. Whether you enjoy bedtime stories or want to dip your toes in guided meditations, you’ll find something that’s perfect for you.
