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Can too much sleep be harmful for health?

Are you among those who sleep beyond 7 hours everyday? You should probably read what oversleeping does to your body.

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Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : February 22, 2017 5:13 PM IST

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OversleepingWhen it comes to sleep, you just can't get enough. Experts have always recommended that 7 hours of good sleep is essential for better health. But what if you sleep more than that? Although sleep is extremely necessary for relaxing and revitalizing the body's processes, oversleeping can have its own adverse effects on the body.

What causes you to oversleep?

There can be a lot of reasons why people tend to oversleep. Interrupted sleep during the nights (sleep apnoea) or a neurological condition called narcolepsy, which affects the part of the brain that controls sleep, could be the medical reason for oversleeping. But more than that, stressful lifestyle and increasing incidences of depression are the leading cause of oversleeping among people. If you're stressed your sleep timing or schedule gets disturbed, which causes you to oversleep. Physical inactivity, fear, anxiety, lack of self discipline and will power, and boredom also contribute to oversleeping. Read more about how you can deal with day time sleepiness.

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How much sleep is too much?

The amount of sleep that is needed differs from person to person. It mainly depends on various factors like age, physical activity, overall health and lifestyle habits. Therefore, oversleeping is totally subjective. Also, when you're ill, you may feel sleepier or when you're on some medication, the side-effects may cause you to oversleep.

Researchers of a study on oversleeping mentioned that an average of 6.5 hours is a safe amount of sleep. They emphasized that from the point of view of health , there is no reason to sleep longer. [2]

Harmful effects of oversleeping

Oversleeping is not good for your health because it is associated with a higher risk of number of health problems, especially lifestyle diseases including obesity and diabetes.

  • Diabetes: A study has shown that people who frequently oversleep (for more than nine hours) have a higher risk of developing diabetes than those who get the recommended amount of sleep. Several studies have also found that the tendency to oversleep may be due to an underlying medical problem which further increases the risk of lifestyle diseases.[3]Here are 10 tips to prevent diabetes.
  • Obesity: A study by Slater G and colleagues has shown that obesity contributes significantly to daytime sleepiness. People who oversleep and have reduced physical activity or eat unhealthy are 21% more likely than people who sleep for seven to eight hours and follow a healthy lifestyle.[1]Here's our mega-guide for losing weight the right way.
  • Heart Diseases: A study published in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has linked too much sleep with the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disorders. According to the study, women who slept for about 9 to 11 hours were 38% more likely to develop heart diseases.[3] Here are some expert tips to prevent heart diseases.
  • Back Pain: When you sleep for more number of hours, the pressure on your back increases. That's why after waking up from a long sleep, your may feel stiffness in your back. Moreover, if you already have a chronic back pain, then your condition may worsen with excessive sleep. Try these 10 tips to prevent back pain
  • Fatality: Various studies have linked oversleeping with increased risk of dying. A study carried out by scientists at the University of California found that individuals who slept for more than nine hours died at young age. [2]

References

  1. Slater G, Pengo MF, Kosky C, Steier J. Obesity as an independent predictor of subjective excessive daytime sleepiness.
  2. Too much sleep could kill you, claims study. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/)
  3. Is oversleeping hazardous to your health (https://www.cbsnews.com/)

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Shraddha Rupavate

Shraddha Rupavate

Combining her Biotechnology background and sheer passion for reading and writing, Shraddha entered the field of scientific and health reporting in order to expand her knowledge base and communicate scientific information in the simplest form to millions of readers. ... Read More