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Too Much Sleep

The Better Sleep Council has declared May Better Sleep Month, and here at PrimaLoft®, we want to provide all the tips to get the most our of your night of sleep.  For our third Better Sleep month blog post, we investigate the phenomenon of getting too many Zzzzzzs...

Could you ever imagine getting too much sleep? Sleep seems to be something we are all lacking, or talking about lacking, but it is actually possible to obtain too much sleep, and it can have a negative effect on energy levels, health and overall productivity at work and home.

Every individual is different when it comes to sleep, and how much sleep is required is a personal preference. Many sleep specialists feel it is important to get at least 5-7 hours of sleep each night and to be consistent with sleep routine in order to achieve maximum sleep benefits. By continuing to regulate your levels of sleep, consider the following steps recommended by HelpGuide.org:

Set a regular bedtime.

Go to bed at the same time every night. Choose a time when you normally feel tired, so that you don’t toss and turn. Try not to break this routine on weekends when it may be tempting to stay up late. If you want to change your bedtime, help your body adjust by making the change in small daily increments, such as 15 minutes earlier or later each day. 

Wake up at the same time every day

If you’re getting enough sleep, you should wake up naturally without an alarm. If you need an alarm clock to wake up on time, you may need to set an earlier bedtime. As with your bedtime, try to maintain your regular wake–time even on weekends. 

Nap to make up for lost sleep

If you need to make up for a few lost hours, opt for a daytime nap rather than sleeping late. This strategy allows you to pay off your sleep debt without disturbing your natural sleep–wake rhythm, which often backfires in insomnia and throws you off for days. 

Be smart about napping

While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge, especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. If insomnia is a problem for you, consider eliminating napping. If you must nap, do it in the early afternoon, and limit naps to thirty minutes. 

Fight after–dinner drowsiness.

If you find yourself getting sleepy way before your bedtime, get off the couch and do something mildly stimulating to avoid falling asleep, such as washing the dishes, calling a friend, or getting clothes ready for the next day. If you give in to the drowsiness, you may wake up later in the night and have trouble getting back to sleep. 

If you would like additional information about sleep, or causes of oversleeping, visit The National Sleep Foundation’s website, or connect with your physician to discuss ways to better manage your sleeping habits