Everyone knows that not sleeping enough is linked to numerous health risks. In truth, long-term sleep deprivation is associated with factors such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension (1). but how about oversleeping? Could it be just as bad? Let’s find out...
In essence, oversleeping can be just as problematic. Nonetheless, most people are uninformed regarding the side effects linked to oversleeping. I want to point the main psychological and physical effects of this phenomenon to shed light on the subject. There is evidence (3) that highlights a link between diabetes and oversleeping; this applies to sleep deprivation as well. Experts consider that oversleeping could be a sign of depression. Even though most people that cope with depression reported sleep deprivation, approximately 15 percent indicated oversleeping (4). In other words: people that sleep more than they should are prone to experience persistent depression and anxiety symptoms.
What is more, oversleeping or under-sleeping could maximize genetic heritability of depressive symptoms, in comparison to normal sleepers. Additionally, did you know that oversleeping accounts for a risk factor in developing cardiovascular disease? Based on a source (5), an inconsistent sleep pattern could jeopardize your health. It means that getting adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Other worrying statistics point that approximately 65 percent of the American population is obese or overweight. One of the fundamentals of gaining weight is the sedentary lifestyle that people with a habit of oversleeping lead. Also, it appears that the incidence of sleep apnea is on the growth, which is linked to being overweight (6). So, apart from exercising and keeping track of your diet, you should also pay attention to how much you sleep. And lastly, experts also link oversleeping with a higher incidence of back pain. In the event in which you’re coping with back pain, you could benefit from implementing an exercising program into your daily routine. Maintaining a balanced level of activity is crucial for your well being.
As we already indicated, oversleeping leads to some noteworthy psychological consequences. This phenomenon makes one feel tired, angry and even anxious. Additionally, having too much sleep could make you prone to experience those unpleasant morning headaches we all hate (7). Researchers indicate that this could be because oversleeping influences the levels of neurotransmitters present in the brain, including serotonin.
So, trying to have a healthy sleeping schedule will bring only benefits. It is important for your overall health. Still, one needs to remember that while sleep deprivation can be genuinely harmful, oversleeping isn’t recommended either. Attaining a healthy balance is the key in this respect. Experts recommend exercising and creating a pleasant sleeping environment so that you can rest properly and feel better.
About the author:
Ethan Foster is the founder of BeddingPal. His mission is to help his readers to manage stress, restore their deep sleep and live a healthy life naturally without the need of pharmaceuticals.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/physical-side-effects-oversleeping#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4165901/
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/observations/2012/09/3-symptoms-of-depression-that-require-a-doctor-not-a-psychologist/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2845795/
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/obesity-and-sleep
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/headache-when-to-worry-what-to-do