Excessive sleep might pose risks to your overall well-being.
Sleep, a vital component of our overall wellbeing, is often overlooked when it comes to health risks. While it's well-known that not getting enough sleep can have negative effects, a growing body of research suggests that sleeping too much could also be detrimental to our health.
According to experts, teenagers may require slightly more sleep, with recommendations being eight to ten hours. However, for most adults, the ideal amount of sleep is seven to nine hours. The Sleep Health Foundation recommends this range, and a study by The Conversation found that people who slept between seven and eight hours had the lowest risk of dying during the study period.
Sleeping more than the recommended amount, often defined as sleeping more than nine hours regularly, is associated with a range of health problems. These include cardiovascular issues, mental health problems, metabolic effects and weight gain, chronic pain and inflammation, cognitive impairment, and a higher mortality risk.
Cardiovascular issues are a significant concern. Studies show that oversleeping can lead to a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, changes in blood pressure, heart rate variability, and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Excess sleep is also linked to mental health problems. It can be both a symptom and a contributor to depression. Oversleeping disrupts circadian rhythms and hormonal balances, worsening mood and cognitive functions like memory and executive function.
In terms of metabolic effects, oversleeping disrupts metabolism and hunger hormones, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. It also contributes to sedentary behavior.
Chronic pain and inflammation are another concern. Spending too much time in bed can worsen conditions like back pain or arthritis by stiffening muscles and joints. Elevated markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP) have been linked to oversleeping.
Cognitive impairment is also a risk. Sleeping more than 9 hours correlates with poorer performance on memory and spatial reasoning tests, particularly when combined with depression.
Perhaps most alarmingly, meta-analyses tracking millions of people reveal a 34% higher risk of death for those sleeping 9+ hours compared to the 7–8 hour "sweet spot".
It's important to note that oversleeping may be a cause or effect. It can be a symptom of underlying health conditions such as heart disease, depression, diabetes, or chronic pain, or caused by medications and disrupted sleep cycles.
In summary, while adequate sleep is essential, regularly sleeping excessively is linked to multiple chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and increased mortality, highlighting the importance of balanced, healthy sleep habits. If you are struggling with sleep or are concerned, it's always a good idea to speak with your GP.
This research was conducted by experts at the Appleton Institute, CQUniversity Australia, including Senior Lecturer Gabrielle Rigney and Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow Charlotte Gupta.
- Sleep, although essential for our overall wellbeing, could potentially pose health risks if we sleep excessively, according to experts at the Appleton Institute, CQUniversity Australia.
- The recommendation for adults is seven to nine hours of sleep, as stipulated by the Sleep Health Foundation, but sleeping more than nine hours regularly is associated with various health problems.
- Oversleeping can lead to a higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression, due to disruptions in circadian rhythms and hormonal balances, affecting mood and cognitive functions.
- In terms of cardiovascular health, excessive sleep has been linked to increased risks of heart attacks, stroke, changes in blood pressure, heart rate variability, and mortality from cardiovascular disease.
- Excessive sleep can also contribute to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes due to disruptions in metabolism and hunger hormones, as well as promoting a sedentary lifestyle.
