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Many of us are aware of the dangers that can occur from a lack of sleep, but did you know that it’s also bad for you to sleep too much?

A lack of sleep or having too much of it can have detrimental effects on the body and mind and is linked to several health hazards.

A healthy amount of sleep for most adults is between seven and nine hours, so if you go over that amount on a regular basis, there may be cause for concern.

If you’re concerned about oversleeping, read on to find more about its causes and the dangers.

What causes oversleeping

Oversleeping may seem like a luxury to some, but it usually occurs due to several things. All these factors centre around a person’s lifestyle, mindset and overall health.


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The most obvious reason for oversleeping is a distorted sleeping pattern.

This includes napping multiple times throughout the day instead of one solid sleep a night.

However, this shouldn’t discourage you from napping. Napping for 25 minutes a day can work wonders for you, but any longer can be a disaster.

Naps are renowned for improving your alertness, lowering stress and anxiety levels, as well as improving your overall mood.

Health conditions

Other oversleeping causes include certain health conditions. These include depression, stress, sleep apnoea, chronic fatigue and substance abuse.

Depression is the leading cause of oversleeping, as sufferers struggle to get out of bed and can often feel fatigued.

Those who suffer from the breathing disorder sleep apnoea, will constantly having their sleeping pattern disrupted during the night. This is because their breathing pattern is periodic instead of rhythmic.

What are oversleeping side effects

There are many unsavoury side effects that can be caused by oversleeping. However, some are more common than others such as headaches, back pain and weight gain.

Headaches


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When you sleep in for longer than usual, you can experience head pain.

Experts believe that this is due to how oversleeping effects neurotransmitters in your brain and this can result in headaches when you wake up in the morning.

A tip you could use to dodge morning headaches is to make sure you’re hydrated before you go bed.

Back Pain

This is one of the most surprising oversleeping side effects, considering that those who suffer back pain often feel more relaxed when they’re lying down on their bed. However, lying in bed too long can create turmoil for your spine.

The best way to alleviate back pain is exercise rather than lying down and resting, so it is best to jump out of bed on Saturday morning and head to the gym, instead of sleeping in!

For the periods when you are in bed with your aches and pains, make sure you have a comfortable mattress that is supportive of your spine to ensure your back pain doesn’t worsen.

Weight Gain

A side effect brought on from sleeping for extended or short periods of time can cause weight gain, according to a six-year research study.

Reportedly, those who oversleep are more likely to gain weight than those with a normal sleeping pattern, regardless of your food intake.

In addition to this, the more time you spend in bed means less time outside shedding calories.

Should I be concerned

Anything you do that negatively impacts your health certainly should give you cause for concern.

If you’re aware that you sleep for longer than the average person, we recommend that you pay a visit to the doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions, such as M.E.

Other things we’d recommend you try out to avoid oversleeping is setting multiple alarms, exercise regularly in the early morning and limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.