Does Oversleeping Make You Tired?
You’re probably burnt out on all the articles regarding sleep hacks and sleep health. We know it’s good for us. We get it. We’re going to try harder. We’ll start doing all those sleep hacks and begin including a few sleep hygiene tips and tricks soon - we promise.
But then… What about when you oversleep?
It’s Saturday, you’ve felt sleep deprived all week so you sleep in. When you finally wake up and roll out of bed, you’re shocked when you look at your clock. It’s almost noon and you slept for over 12 hours… whoa - wait…. why don’t feel refreshed? In fact, you feel kind of groggy and now you are left wondering as you go through your day in a bit of a haze.
So… what’s going on?
Why Oversleeping Makes You Tired
Okay, but what about when you oversleep that one time and feel tired?
Here’s the Thing:
Any significant disruption in normal sleep patterns may lead to increased fatigue during the day and possibly trouble sleeping at night.
This is why sleep experts emphasize waking up and going to bed at the same time every night and morning. Your body sleeps in a rhythm. Any interruption of that rhythm might throw the rest of your body off for the next day or more. And yes, you’ll likely feel more tired.
Other symptoms of oversleeping further include headaches, back pain, and a low mood. It can also lead to increased anxiety and more serious health conditions. For instance, experts claim oversleeping can lead to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and early death.
So, how can you get that extra shut-eye you so desperately need without totally messing up your sleep schedule?
Ways to Get Extra Rest - Without Actually Sleeping
If you have a busy and labor-intensive job, getting rest is likely something you crave. Or perhaps your life is just always go-go-go that you can’t seem to find the time to sit down and take a load off. And you find afternoon naps make you more tired. You need something easy. How can you get extra rest?
We’ve got you covered.
1. On your lunch break, take time to close your eyes and just breathe
We forget to take these moments for ourselves - especially when life gets busy. When you eat, take a few moments to just be in the moment. Avoid doing multiple tasks. Just let your mind rest. Take a few deep breaths, then dive into your meal.
2. Stretch
Got a few moments throughout your day? Stretch. Fold forward at your hips and just hang out here for a few seconds or a few minutes. It’ll feel oh-so-good. And it might be the exact rejuvenation you need.
3. Start a morning routine
A lot of us hop to it when our alarm goes off. But how about carving out a little bit of time for yourself in the mornings? Start your day off in less of a rush and it might mean you’ll feel less tired when the day ends.
What’s a good morning routine? Consider journaling - write down everything you’re grateful for when you first wake up. Meditate for a few minutes. Try a breathing exercise. Read a book. Or simply just make a nice breakfast and sit with your coffee for a few moments.
4. Zen out with a Netflix binge
We’re serious. Sometimes, you just need some time. So on your day off, don’t plan a thing. Plan to do what you feel like - even if that may involve a few hours of watching your new favorite Netflix show.
5. Take a hot bath before bed
Not quite ready for sleep yet? Chill out before bed. Rest a bit before your real rest. A hot bath is the perfect way to do this or do some gentle yoga. Whatever works!
Want to find out more on how to wind down before bed? Check out this article for tips and tricks on how to get a better night’s sleep.
6. Do a brain dump
Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Seriously tired and done with the day? Do a quick brain dump. Write out everything and anything that’s bothering you. Just let it all out. Sometimes, venting it out - even to a piece of paper - can help you get a handle on things, as well as declutter your mind and rest for a quick second.
Pro Tip: This can also help you get a better sleep at night by placing your worries on paper and out of your head.
Is This Unhealthy?
While the occasional oversleeping session won’t impact your health, if you’re oversleeping on the regular, it’s time to consider a visit to your doctor’s office. Excessive sleeping may indicate a medical condition.
In fact, oversleeping is linked to an array of causes including…
- Mental health (most often Depression)
- Hypothyroidism
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Narcolepsy
- Certain medications
- Etc
Related Article: Sleep Debt: The Consequences of Sleep Loss on Your Mind & Body
How Do You Prevent Oversleeping?
Again, once and awhile is a-okay. As long as it’s not a habit, a healthy body should be able to handle the occasional oversleeping incident. In fact, you might need it.
Ideally, adults should be sleeping an average of 7-8 hours a night. If your average doesn’t work out to that, it might be time to visit your doctor. Get to the bottom of your sleep and fatigue troubles. Don’t let it run your life!
