Why You Might Be Sleeping More Than Usual?

Have you ever wondered why you might be sleeping more than usual? There could be many reasons. It could be because you’re fighting off an illness or catching up after a few nights of sleep deprivation. Consistently oversleeping could also be the sign of a sleep disorder, mental health disorder or other health issues.

On average most adults require at least seven hours of sleep nightly. A good night’s sleep promotes overall health and mental alertness. Without enough sleep you may feel sluggish and unable to focus. On the other hand, too much sleep can also negatively affect your health.

The exact amount of sleep you need depends on your daytime habits and activities, health, and sleep patterns. Older adults may need only six hours of sleep while other people such as athletes may need an extra hour of sleep to promote rest and rejuvenation. Occasionally you may require more sleep than normal, such as after strenuous activity or travel. If another hour of rest helps you feel your best, then that amount of sleep is right for your body. If consistently sleeping longer still leaves you tired or nodding off during the day, this may be a sign of underlying health issue.

Oversleeping Symptoms

• Excessive napping during the day
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Headache

Oversleeping can occur when you try to wake up for your ‘sleep debt’. Several health conditions can also lead to oversleeping and excessive daytime sleepiness such as sleep apnoea and diabetes.

Oversleeping impacts your overall health and can have negative effects just as lack of sleep does. The impacts of this can be a worsening of inflammation in the body, decreasing your immune function and can lead to chronic diseases.

To avoid oversleeping you can:

• Talk with your doctor about your sleep and health habits and they can help identify the cause of your oversleeping and suggest a treatment plan.
• Set a regular sleep schedule. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This helps you avoid sleep loss and sleep debt.
• Create a bedtime routine where your bedroom should be a cool temperature and free of excess light and noise.
• Keep active with daily exercise and sunlight exposure to help you sleep well at night to avoid excessive exercise close to bedtime.
• Nap early, avoiding late afternoon as it can make it difficult for you to fall asleep on time at night.