Extra Sleep Hours: The Effects & Risks of Sleeping Too Much

Sleep. Every person in the world loves to have more of it, but yet it is so elusive. Lack of sleep may cause a big impact on one’s health and we all know that lack of sleep may cause a big impact on one’s health. Some experts say that we should aim to get seven to eight hours of tight sleep at night but what will happen if we sleep for extra hours? Some researchers, extra sleep hours do not provide any benefits to us. Let’s dig into our blog to explore extra sleep hours.

What Is Sleep Debt?

Sleep debt is also known as sleep deficit. It is the difference between the amount of sleep required by someone and the amount of sleep they actually receive. To put it in a simpler term, if your body needs eight hours of sleep per night but you only get five hours of sleep, and there you lack 3 hours of sleep which is known as sleep debt or sleep deficit. 

Since sleep is elusive, going to sleep later than usual on a continuous basis can actually lead to sleep debt. Most Americans suffer from sleep debt due to the following reasons: change of work hours, commuting, socializing, watching television, and stress. 

Benefits of Getting Sleep 

The benefits of sleep are often overlooked by people, but is there any benefit in sleeping extra hours? We all know that getting enough sleep improves our health and memory. 

• People generally will have better mental health after a good tight sleep. 
• Protects your heart and keeps your blood pressure standard. 
• Maintain your appetite.
• Maintain your blood glucose level at normal range. 
• Releases healthy hormones that will help you grow. 
• Repairs tissues and improves your muscle mass. 
• Induces your immune system. 
• Can ward off your infections.

Risks of Getting Extra Sleep Hours

Getting enough sleep can aid you in various health benefits. However, Getting extra sleep hours can increase your risk in various ways including, 

• Diabetes
• Weight gain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Delayed immune response
• Heart disease
• Memory problems

How to Make Up for the Lost Sleep without Any Side Effects

Not everyone needs eight hours of sleep per night while some people need six hours of sleep while others need ten hours of sleep. In order to find how much sleep you need, you have to figure out how much sleep you need by allowing your body to sleep for some course of time. You’ll naturally get into your sleep rhythm in some days. If you miss getting enough sleep, then here are a few ways you can make up for the lost sleep. 

• Take a power nap of about 20 minutes in the afternoon. 
• Try to sleep on weekends, but not more than two hours. 
• Sleep more for one or two nights. 
• Go to bed earlier.