Is oversleeping good for your health?

November 27, 2019 6:35 PM | Skymet Weather Team

 

It may sound like a cliché, but the reason for you falling sick every now and then, is because you are not getting enough sleep. For the record, you need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. The habit of not sleeping enough may even increase your risk of developing chronic health problems. Experts have been endlessly discussing the fact that a sound sleep, is in no way, any less important than a proper diet and routine exercise.

Insufficient sleep has often been linked to obesity, stroke, heart disease and what not. Studies suggest that getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night may help maintain your memory in the later years of your life. But what about those who always end up sleeping a little more than they should? Is sleeping more than the suggested time alright?

Well, simply speaking, the answer is no. Sleeping too much can prove to be risky. Oversleeping is also associated with a higher risk of obesity, heart diseases, and stroke. Occasional oversleeping isn't bad for your health, but sleeping more than enough on a regular basis may prove hazardous in the long run. The question here is that how much sleep is too much sleep? Will those extra hours of sleep on weekends affect your health? Let’s take the bull by the horns.

As already mentioned, a healthy amount of sleep is the usual 7 to 9 hours a night. So, if you oversleep after an intoxicating Saturday night or after an overtime at the workplace, it is alright. Long sleepers are the ones who sleep for more than 9 hours consistently. If you are oversleeping, you are either getting poor quality of sleep or are on your way to getting really sick. This explains why your body wants you to sleep more.

According to studies, if you are spending too much time in bed, you may end up facing some major health issues. A study suggests that those who overslept were at a higher risk of developing diabetes as compared to those who sleep just right. Oversleeping has been directly associated with kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases along with depression and even dementia.

Most of the time, the problem of not sleeping enough gets all the attention. It usually overshadows the health hazards associated with oversleeping. Oversleeping is as bad as not getting enough sleep and should not be taken lightly. Don't mistake sleeping more for sleeping well. For a longer and better life, aim to get just enough sleep. Nothing less, nothing more. Wake up if you wish to sleep right!

Image Credit: thedoctorweighsin.com

 

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