3 Reasons Oversleeping May Harm Your lifestyle
Have you ever felt like a train-wreck after sleeping too many hours? Oversleeping is a guilty pleasure with some unintended and harmful consequences. Simply put, too much sleep may harm your lifestyle. That said, it is also important to remember that oversleeping is NEVER as harmful as under sleeping.
Oversleeping messes with our biological clocks (circadian rhythms) which may result in behavior changes, physical pain, and changes to our general health. Throwing off your internal clock by sleeping longer than needed will make you feel lethargic, fatigued and drowsy! How’s that for a counter effective habit?
Oversleeping May Cause Headaches
If you are prone to headaches, sleeping longer hours may cause head pain. Oversleeping may affect certain neurotransmitters, including the brain’s serotonin. For some people prone to headaches, this may be a big deal; and resting on neck muscles while lying in bed may make the headache worst.
Oversleeping May Increase The Risk of Diabetes
A study conducted in the US of nearly 10,000 people found a correlation between oversleeping and diabetes (not to mention that the more hours your sleep, the less active you are during the day). The research found that individuals who sleep more than 9 hours a day had a 50% higher risk of developing diabetes. While the research did not draw any affirmative conclusions – we do know that individuals with abnormal blood sugar levels and/or diabetes will experience excessive drowsiness and fatigue throughout their day – which may lead to oversleeping.
Oversleeping May Increase The Risk of Obesity
It’s a simple fact – if you accustom your body to oversleeping 10 hours a day, you will burn less calories. Individuals who sleep over 9 hours each day are 20% more likely to become obese across a 6 year period. Interestingly enough, this statistic holds true even if the person exercises on a regular basis.
4 Easy-To-Follow Tips To Avoid Oversleeping
- University of Georgia researchers found that individuals who exercise on a regular basis could increase energy by 20% while decreasing fatigue by as much as 65%.
- Have something exciting to get up for. It is much easier to get out of bed when you know something exciting awaits; such as trying a new teeth whitening recipe, yoga, or tasting a new flavor coffee/tea.
- Adjust your sleep habits so that you fall asleep and awaken around the same time during most day.
- Place your alarm clock further away from the bed. You will actually have to “get up” to turn it off.
Are you sleeping too much? Remember that oversleeping can have negative side effects. In order to stay sound, it is critical that we maintain a proper level of sleep; around 8 hours for active adults.
About the Author
Carlos Alvarez is a holistic lifestyle blogger and a dedicated gym goer. Carlos enjoys topics ranging from holistic lifestyle to healthy regimens. Carlos counts calories and exercises on a regular basis.
rebecca
May 17, 2016I certainly didn’t realize there were dangers to too much sleep. Being a mom to a toddler, I don’t have the problem of too much sleep, though.
View CommentCarmen
May 5, 2016Great post! I overslept today, but my body kind of needed it. I usually get my 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
View CommentKaren
April 29, 2016Oversleeping tends to happen a lot with me but thanks for sharing this. Now I’ll be more aware of the effects it has! Great read.
View CommentMaryam
April 28, 2016I knew abou the obesity thing ! Honestly I wished I had an oversleeping problem cause right now I don’t sleep at all ! My sleeping schedule I messed up :/
View CommentJennifer L | Modern Chic
April 28, 2016Fascinating to hear about the 3 reasons why oversleeping can harm our lifestyle.
View CommentCarrie
April 28, 2016I know when I havent slept enough or when I have overslept because of the headaches I get! Of course they are much worse if I oversleep! Definitely a great post!
View CommentPsychic Nest
April 27, 2016Hi Ana,
There are many times I feel like oversleeping and this is why I always make sure that my mornings are far away from routine. Meditation, yoga, walking outside, listening to new music can be some of the activities that motivate me to wake up on time. I believe that when we find our passion, it is when we won’t want to sleep more than 10 hours only because we have something really exciting to do.
There were so many things I didn’t know about oversleeping such as risk of obesity and diabetes. Thank you so much for this fantastic post! Have a beautiful day. 🙂
Zaria
View CommentJasmine Watts
April 27, 2016I love sleep so much and had no idea sleeping could cause diabetes! This is great reason to get up early!!
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