Do you love to sleep in? The alarm goes off, but you just can’t bring yourself to jump up, full of enthusiasm to greet the new day, so you snuggle in for another hour or two … Doing that every now and then could be a good thing, but if you are sleeping way too much, the harm could far outweigh the benefits.
Sleep is the time when the body can carry out repairs, and too little sleep can have bad consequences. Then what about more sleep? It should be better, right? Science tells us that is also bad for us. Here are five reasons for you to not oversleep.
1. Weight gain and obesity
©Shutterstock | winnondIt stands to reason that if we oversleep, our bodily functions can slow down. The rate at which we burn off calories is lower, constipation can set in, and we become more sloth-like, or passive in our thinking. Getting enough sleep is vital, but too much can cause those pounds to pile on and lead to a variety of health problems.
2. Increase in heart disease
©Shutterstock | Image Point FrWhen you sleep too much, you tend to exercise less, which leads to weight gain. This can increase the strain on the heart so that even simple tasks become hard. The heart has to work harder to keep you going, and this can increase your risk of having a heart attack.
It certainly pays to keep yourself fit, and perhaps instead of sleeping in, you would benefit from a good exercise regime in the mornings.
Research suggests that six to eight hours sleep per night is healthy for adults, and more than that puts you at risk. One study in the Journal of the American Heart Association concludes that sleeping longer does indeed lead to heart and cardiovascular disease and increased mortality.
3. Depression
©Shutterstock | Sam WordleyIf you are feeling depressed, you might feel you just want to sleep; after all, when you are asleep, you don’t have to think. Untreated mental issues could be an issue in your wanting to just sleep.
But will slumber really help? No, as too much sleep will make you feel even worse. Also the more you sleep, the more you then want to. Not a good cycle. If you weren’t depressed to begin with, you soon will be. You may need to seek professional help.
4. Increased risk of diabetes
©Shutterstock | Africa StudioToo much or, conversely, not enough sleep can increase your risk of getting diabetes by 2.5 times. Again, if you oversleep it can lead to a decrease in exercise, which is an important factor in enabling your body to utilize the glucose present for muscles instead of having it overflow into the blood.
Sleeping too much without any known cause is also a problem for some people. You will also find yourself very sleepy during the day, even though you are sleeping extended hours at night. You struggle to wake up, and your brain can be foggy most of the day. This is a chronic neurological sleep disorder. You can learn more about this condition here.
How to help break the sleep habit.
Be consistent with your sleep patterns, set up a timetable if that helps, and stick to it to break your excess sleep habits. If you find you need help, see your friendly doctor or health practitioner; he/she will be able to give you some helpful suggestions.
Meanwhile, restrict your alcohol intake and make sure your diet includes plenty of fresh vegetables, protein, good fats, and fruit. Ensure you are getting enough exercise, and limit your caffeine intake at night. Create an environment conducive to a good night’s sleep; make sure your media devices are switched off or not within range, as the radiation from them can interrupt your sleep, causing you to have very restless nights.
©Shutterstock | VladaKelaGetting good-quality sleep hopefully can help you to break your oversleeping habits!
For 5 suggestions for better slumber that actually work, click here.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician.
