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.
Debbie-jean Lemonte
April 25, 2016I love this post! What’s ironic is that I’ve been struggling with getting out of bed and for the last week, I’ve been trying to create a routine for myself. It failed and now I see why. I don’t exercise as much as I use to and the alarm is right by my head. LOL! So I guess I can try one or two of your tips and see how they work out for me.
View CommentChrissy
April 25, 2016Such an interesting read – I knew over-sleeping wasn’t beneficial to your health but I had no idea how much it can harm your health! Thank you!
View Commentalison
April 25, 2016I wish I was oversleeping and that was my problem! I can’t get enough of it! But I didn’t realize how harmful it can be to oversleep. Great tips on sleeping in general!
View CommentAmy Scott
April 25, 2016It has taken me years to get back a bedtime/wake-up routine and it is amazing! There was a time where I couldn’t sleep until all hours of the night and would oversleep the next day. The days felt wasted and I was miserable. It definitely has a negative affect!
View CommentAmanda
April 25, 2016This is a topic that’s not talked about enough! Oversleeping is just as detrimental as not getting enough sleep. I find that when I oversleep on the weekends I’m more tired than I am during the week! Thanks for sharing.
View CommentJessica Bradshaw
April 25, 2016I always feel more sluggish if I get “too much” sleep. I knew their were health issues involved too. Thank you for sharing.
View CommentKatie
April 25, 2016I think it’s also important to learn how much sleep actually feels best in our bodies and knowing that may change! I’ve recently started learning that 6-6 1/2 hours per night is my BEST. When I get over 7, I have a harder time getting out of bed in the morning, I’m dragging more throughout the day and I usually end up feeling like I need a nap. It seems strange, but knowing ourbodieo are all a bit different, is important to note!
View CommentCrystal // Dreams, etc.
April 25, 2016I really need to move my alarm clock across the room, although I generally don’t have a problem oversleeping. If anything I probably get too little, but I’ve been making sleep a priority this year so I’m close to getting a good amount each night.
View CommentMarlene
April 25, 2016Who knew! As a mom of tow very cute busy little girls – I don’t have this problem and often find myself craving more sleep. It is interesting to see that even if I had the “luxury” of sleeping as many hours as I choose that I should consider things like activity and that sleeping to much eventually also can have a negative impact. I am always on the quest to find and maintain life/work balance and it just shows you – even with sleep there has to be a balance.
View CommentJemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
April 25, 2016I never knew this – the perfect excuse to get up early in the morning.
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