A recent study by University of California San Diego researchers has revealed that sleeping too much can be just as bad for your health as sleeping too little. The study, published in the journal Sleep, followed more than 4000 people over two decades and found that sleeping too much, or 9+ hours a night, was associated with a greater risk of death from all causes. This finding was particularly pronounced among those who slept longer than the recommended 7-8 hours a night.
The study participants were aged 45-69 when the study began and were followed for an average of 16 years. During the study period, there were 797 deaths from all causes. Those who slept more than nine hours a night had double the risk of death from all causes compared to those who slept for seven to eight hours a night. The study also found that those who slept more than nine hours had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The findings of this study suggest that sleeping too much can be as detrimental to your health as sleeping too little. It is well established that a lack of sleep can have a detrimental effect on both physical and mental health. It has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and even early death. However, this study suggests that getting too much sleep can be just as bad for your health.
The study authors suggest that there is a “Goldilocks” amount of sleep – not too much, not too little – that is best for health. They recommend that adults should aim for seven to eight hours a night for optimal health.
It is important to note that the study findings cannot prove that sleeping too much causes an increased risk of death from all causes. But, the results suggest that it is possible that there is an optimal amount of sleep that should be pursued for good health.
The findings of this study are concerning, particularly given that many people in modern society are not getting enough sleep. As such, it is important for people to ensure that they are getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night in order to optimize their health.
