About Us

We're the creators of BetterSleep, a leading wellness app helping over 60 million people around the globe sleep better.

We’re on a mission to help people around the world live a happier, healthier life, through expert-led meditations, sleep stories, brainwaves and more.

Share article
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Sleep?
sleep

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Sleep?

by BetterSleep
4 min
Share article

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.

Share article

Related posts

An Extra Hour of Sleep: Create a Morning Routine That Sticks
sleep

An Extra Hour of Sleep: Create a Morning Routine That Sticks

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Sleep Paralysis Explained
sleep

Sleep Paralysis Explained

by BetterSleep
10 min read
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
sleep

Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis

by BetterSleep
7 min read
Brown Noise
sleep / wellness

Brown Noise

by BetterSleep
4 min read
The Importance of Sleep
sleep / wellness

The Importance of Sleep

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Best Teas for Sleep
sleep / wellness

Best Teas for Sleep

by BetterSleep
10 min read
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
sleep / wellness

Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
sleep

Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know

by BetterSleep
7 min read
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
sleep / news

Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
sleep

Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't

by BetterSleep
7 min read

Top 10 posts

Generative Music by Alexey Seliverstov Exclusively on BetterSleep
news

Generative Music by Alexey Seliverstov Exclusively on BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Celebrate World Sleep Day with BetterSleep
sleep

Celebrate World Sleep Day with BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
2min
From Beats to Bliss: Grammy-Nominated Artist Timbaland Teams Up with BetterSleep to Introduce Meditation Music
news

From Beats to Bliss: Grammy-Nominated Artist Timbaland Teams Up with BetterSleep to Introduce Meditation Music

by BetterSleep
6 min read
How to Use the BetterSleep Sound Mixer to Improve Sleep
wellness / sleep

How to Use the BetterSleep Sound Mixer to Improve Sleep

by BetterSleep
5min
Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 2025 with BetterSleep
wellness

Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 2025 with BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Biphasic Sleep: Is Sleeping in Two Parts Better for You?
sleep

Biphasic Sleep: Is Sleeping in Two Parts Better for You?

by BetterSleep
6 min read
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Coaching?
wellness

What Are the Benefits of Sleep Coaching?

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Quiet the Ringing: How BetterSleep Helps with Tinnitus
news

Quiet the Ringing: How BetterSleep Helps with Tinnitus

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Holiday Escapes: Drift Away with Travel-Themed Bedtime Stories
news

Holiday Escapes: Drift Away with Travel-Themed Bedtime Stories

by BetterSleep
New Year’s Starter Kit: How to Achieve Your 2025 Goals with Hypnosis
wellness

New Year’s Starter Kit: How to Achieve Your 2025 Goals with Hypnosis

by BetterSleep
5 min read