how many hours of sleep is too much?

Taking rest is extremely important for your physical and mental health. Do you also prefer to turn around three more times when the alarm goes off in the morning? We understand that all too well. But how much sleep is actually good for you? And when is it too much?

Because yes, there really is such a thing as too much sleep. According to experts, oversleeping regularly is a very bad plan.

All about sleep and mental health

A good start to the day is half the work. That’s exactly why you want to get out of bed fresh in the morning. Who groggy, grumpy and moody leaves his bed, starts the day 1-0 behind.

How many hours of sleep is ideal?

As an adult, you need 7 hours of sleep to function properly. To be extra sure, 8 hours of sleep is therefore recommended. Fun fact: women need 20 minutes more sleep than men. A good reason to turn around next to your lover, so.

Is there such a thing as too much sleep?

It sounds unbelievable, but yes: there is such a thing as ‘too much sleep’. Too much sleep on a regular basis can be quite harmful and can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Sleeping continuously for more than 9 hours a night can be a cause for concern in some cases. However, it’s fine to get a long night’s sleep of more than 10 hours once in a while if your body needs it, but you shouldn’t do it too often.

An irregular sleep rhythm due to the ‘social jet lag’

You would think that you need more and more sleep the older you get, but nothing could be further from the truth. In your early twenties, you probably need less sleep than teenagers, but slightly more than older adults. This is partly because the brain is still developing until about age 25.

In your twenties you sometimes stay up late for a drink or a party, and then you sleep in on the weekend, but you still try to get up early on Monday to go to work. This can lead to a so-called ‘social jetlag‘. At one social jetlag we tend to have very different bedtimes and wake-up times on weekends than during the week. You guessed it: this is not good for you. Because our circadian rhythm doesn’t handle changes well, this messes up your sleep rhythm.

What are the mental effects of too much sleep?

It sounds quite contradictory, but sleeping too long mainly makes you feel tired and energyless. For example, you can feel lethargic, drowsy, tired, stiff and generally low on energy in the morning. You understand, this does nothing good for your mental state.

When we wake up in the morning it is logical that we have to wake up and come in, but after that you want to feel fit, energetic and on top of it to feel. As we said before: a good start is half the work.

Sleep better through Feng Shui? Then you want to decorate your bedroom like this

So, how do you get back into a good flow?

That’s simple: routine. Oversleeping and excessive nap can be a very difficult cycle to break once it starts. One of the best ways to do this is to stick to the same bedtimes and wake-up times throughout the week, even on weekends – difficult as that may be.

Use your lifestyle and daily routines to your advantage. Exercise is essential if you want to feel energized. And in the evening, for example, set a bedtime for yourself and make sure you have a relaxation routine in the evening. That could be reading a book, taking a bath, listening to a podcast, or meditating.