What do celebrities do on those tour buses all day, driving between stops? If you ask Olivia Rodrigo, the 21-year-old singer on the GUTS world tour, a whole lot of sleep is the answer. 13 hours per day, in fact. “I’m so exhausted,” she told Complex in an interview. (1) But she also says it’s just a way to pass the time too, between binge sessions of Sex and the City episodes. Though it’s not a question many of us have the luxury of asking, it has us wondering — what happens if you get TOO much sleep?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep each night and teens get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. And anyone who has been on TikTok in the last year has likely run across “bed-rotting,” a.k.a. staying in bed for even days at a time. In that case, sleep isn’t necessary but can be part of the restorative process, some TikTokkers say. And then there’s “Hurkle-Durkling.” But doing it on purpose and because you really need to are much different in this case. According to John Hopkins University Medicine, if you routinely need more than 9 or 10 hours, it might be a sign of an issue.
A 2024 study found that oversleeping could impact cardiovascular health in a similar fashion that undersleeping can. (2) Also, a 2023 paper reported that oversleeping can slow processing time, leave people feeling more lethargic, and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. (3) Conversely, sleeping too much can also be a sign of already having a health condition leading to your exhaustion.
Some conditions such as specific types of insomnia cause you to stay awake late into the night, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which can have you waking up feeling exhausted. That can make you want to sleep even more than normal. Ironically, sleeping too much, in some cases, can make you even more tired.
Oversleeping can also be normal, though, especially if you are or have recently been sick, such as fighting off an infection. It can also happen naturally if you’ve exerted yourself in a physical activity such as running a long distance or a taxing weight lifting session. Also, oversleeping might be a sign that you aren’t getting enough sleep on other nights, as your body tries to “catch up” as a part of dealing with sleep debt.
But before you plan to sleep till after lunch to feel more rested, be aware that sleeping too much can further disrupt your sleep cycle, and consistent bedtime and wake times are much healthier. Similarly, hitting that snooze button repeatedly can be confusing to your body as well.
Oversleeping: Here’s What You Need To Know
Excessive Sleepiness: Everything You Need To Know
Are Naps Bad For You? Study Links High Blood Pressure, Stroke Risk to Daytime Snoozing
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Sources
1. Skelton, Eric; “Olivia Rodrigo Opens Up About Life on Tour, Song of the Summer, and GUTS Popup,” Complex; https://www.complex.com/music/a/eric-skelton/olivia-rodrigo-interview-guts-popup-la; August 16, 2024.
2. Nika, Oliana; “Contribution of Excessive Sleep Duration to the Pathogenesis and Progression of Cardiovascular Disorders,” Stanford University; https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/intersect/article/view/3078; August 2, 2024.
3. Blundell, Renald; Camilleri, Emma; “What is sleep hygiene?” The Malta Independent; https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/115548/1/What_is_sleep_hygiene%282023%29.pdf; November 12, 2023.