Study Says: Too Much Sleep is Bad for You

Too much of anything isn’t great for our health. Moderation is key in making sure that we are caring for our body and mind. Many people suffer from anxiety, health problems and stress because they don’t get enough sleep; can too much rest also do damage to our health? Although it feels good to sleep in, there are side effects that come from resting often. Sleeping excessively can affect the health of our brain, our mood and the consistency of your immune system.

• Believe it or not, too much sleep can slow down the processing that occurs within the brain. Studies have shown that it can have a negative effect on your memory, vocabulary and decision-making. It tends to affect those who sleep more than 8 hours, which is the maximum amount of rest we need depending on our activity level. It’s essential to make going to bed and waking up a routine so that you can avoid sleeping too much or too little.
• It can increase fatigue. Excessive shut-eye can make you feel as if you haven’t rested enough. It may be a sign that your body is attempting to make up for poor sleep with longer hours. Remember that feeling well-rested is about the quality and not how long you are lying down.
• Getting to much sleep has a negative effect on the immune system. It increases your chances of developing diabetes, heart problems and depression. If you allow yourself to sleep or relax in bed for long periods of time it can make your body much weaker and increase your chances of gaining weight. Being too inactive can also make you susceptible to disease and illness.
• It can take years off of your life. Having more than 8 hours of sleep every night may increase your chances of dying younger. Studies have proven the relationship repeatedly but cannot fully explain why the association occurs.
• Getting too much rest can reduce your motivation. It might prevent you from spending time outside, being active and doing recreational things instead of lounging around the house. We need motivation, physical activity and fresh air in order to look and feel our best. If you are experiencing depression and mood swings as a result of too much sleep it’s important that you start changing your routine and sleep schedule so that you feel better and remain productive.

Before you get used to sleeping in often, think about how important it is for you to feel energized and enthusiastic throughout the day and with each new opportunity that comes your way. If you have a busy schedule it’s just as important to make sure that you feel well-rested when you wake up in the morning. Listen to your body and give yourself enough time to wake up. Although extra hours of slumber are good for our bodies on occasion, it’s best that we stick to a moderate amount of sleep the majority of the time.