Is it possible to get too much sleep?

The recommended amount of sleep for optimal health is between 7 to 9 hours of high-quality, uninterrupted sleep. Although we hear most about those who do not get enough sleep, there is a small portion of the population that sleeps too much.

Research shows that even though there isn’t necessarily risk in too much sleep in and of itself, there is some association between it and depression, obesity, and negative impacts on brain, or cognitive function. One sign of not sleeping well includes not feeling rested even after 9 hours of sleep.

Spending a lot of time in bed or sleeping beyond the optimal amount of time without feeling rested can be caused by poor sleep habits, your sleep environment, medications, or medical conditions. Try improving your sleep hygiene, including regular bed and wake times and turning off electronics one hour before sleeping. If problems with too much sleep without its benefits persist, connect with your health care provider.