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Too Much Sleep Could Apparently Kill You!

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Oversleeping has been linked to poor health according to studies

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Sleep or rather a lack of it, has been a big talking point during lockdown. In fact, sleep wellness is now a lucrative market—with meditative apps, luxury sleepwear, experts and online workshops. Having said that, sleeping for nine to 10 each night is NOT good for you….  

GETTING TO THE ROOT CAUSE

If you average more than eight hours of sleep per night, consult your doctor—as he/she can help you determine why you oversleep. Similarly, if your oversleeping is caused by an underlying medical condition, getting it treated may help you get back to a normal sleeping cycle. Here’s looking at some of the common reasons that cause oversleeping:

1. Hypersomnia: Or oversleeping is actually a medical disorder. The condition causes people to suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day. It also causes them to sleep for unusually long periods of time at night. Many people with hypersomnia experience symptoms of anxiety, low energy, and memory problems as a result of their almost constant need for sleep.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea: A disorder that causes people to stop breathing momentarily during sleep, which can also lead to an increased need for sleep, as it disrupts the normal sleep cycle.
3. Depression: Of course, not everyone who oversleeps has a sleep disorder. Medical conditions, including depression, can cause people to oversleep. Alcohol or some prescription medicines can also result in oversleeping. 

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Although most of us need about eight hours a night to feel refreshed during the day, what counts as sufficient sleep is highly individual. If you’ve stayed up all night partying, and have to wake up early for online classes or presentations over Google Meet—you may end up feeling tired because of inadequate sleep. However, what if you feel like a sloth even on the days you’ve hit the snooze button too many times? 

According to The Guardian, researchers looked at data from 74 studies involving more than three million people and found those who slept for 10 hours were 30% more likely to die prematurely than those who slept for eight. According to the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Foundation, staying in bed for more than 10 hours was also linked to a 56% increased risk of death from stroke and a 49% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Lead researchers on the study have said it shows that excessive sleep is a marker of elevated cardiovascular risk. If excessive sleep patterns are found, particularly prolonged durations of eight hours or more, then clinicians should consider screening for adverse cardiovascular risk factors. Excessive sleep can also lead to diabetes and obesity.

GET RID OF THE SNOOZE BUTTON

The right amount of sleep that makes you feel fully rested, depends on your age and activity level as well as your general health and lifestyle. For instance, during periods of stress or illness, you may feel an increased need for sleep and that’s absolutely normal! However, according to most health experts—all of us need around eight hours per night in order to function properly! People aged between 18 to 64, need roughly seven to nine hours, and those about that age bracket only need to clock in even to eight hours of sleep. 

Practising good sleep hygiene can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Sleep experts recommend waking up at the same time daily—even on weekends and vacations—as deviation from normal sleep patterns can upset the body’s natural internal rhythm and enhance daytime fatigue. 

 

[Featured Image Credit: Pexels]

Eva Pavithran

Vertical Head - Lifestyle

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