How much sleeping is too much?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 08, 2026
Oversleeping, or long sleeping, is defined as sleeping more than nine hours in a 24-hour period. On average, most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep4 nightly. A good night's sleep promotes overall health and mental alertness5. Without enough sleep, you may feel sluggish and unable to focus.
Is it OK to sleep 12 hours?
We often say that people need 7-9 hours of sleep, but some people require more sleep to feel rested. “Long sleepers” are people who regularly sleep more than the average person their age. As adults, their nightly length of sleep tends to be 10 to 12 hours. This sleep is very normal and of a good quality.
How do you know if you're sleeping too much?
Excessive Sleeping Warning Signs
Low energy during the day. Symptoms of anxiety. Memory issues. Extreme sleepiness unresolved by napping.
Is it okay to sleep 10 hours a day?
Yes, it is. And sleeping too much — 10 hours or more — can harm your health. Further, it may be a sign of underlying health problems, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Why am I sleeping for 12 hours a day?
People with hypersomnia might require as many as 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night to feel their best. Since day-to-day life might include responsibilities that don't allow for this much rest, long sleepers may feel excessively tired during the day and catch up on off days, sleeping as much as 15 hours at a time.
38 related questions foundHow many hours is oversleeping?
Oversleeping, or long sleeping, is defined as sleeping more than nine hours in a 24-hour period. On average, most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep4 nightly. A good night's sleep promotes overall health and mental alertness5. Without enough sleep, you may feel sluggish and unable to focus.
Why can't I stop oversleeping?
There are many reasons you may be sleeping more than you normally do or more than you should. If you're concerned about this or it happens for an extended period, it's always best to consult a medical doctor. Possible underlying causes could be depression, thyroid problems, or a sleep disorder.
Is 11 hours of sleep too much?
Sleep needs can vary from person to person, but in general, experts recommend that healthy adults get an average of 7 to 9 hours per night of shuteye. If you regularly need more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested, it might be a sign of an underlying problem, Polotsky says.
Is sleeping naked better for your health?
Sleeping naked together might improve your rest by reducing your stress and anxiety levels. Skin-to-skin contact between adults can increase levels of oxytocin, the “love hormone”. That increased oxytocin can help to reduce your stress levels. It can also make you feel more connected to your partner.
Can you be addicted to sleep?
“Sleep addiction is not a medically recognized condition,” he says. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, people with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Sleep is a biological function and isn't fundamentally harmful.
Is oversleeping a symptom of depression?
It's important to remember that oversleeping is a possible symptom of depression and that oversleeping doesn't cause depression. But it can exacerbate and worsen depression symptoms, Dr. Drerup explains. “If someone's oversleeping, they may wake up and feel like they've missed out on the day,” she says.
Why do I love sleeping so much?
“If you are obsessed with sleeping or have an intense desire to stay in bed, you could be suffering from a condition called clinomania. That doesn't mean that there aren't people who can experience symptoms similar to addiction and even withdrawal in association with sleep, or lack thereof.”
Why am I tired after sleeping 10 hours?
If you sleep more than you need to you're probably going to wake up from a later sleep cycle, meaning you'll feel groggy and tired even though you've slept more. It's the weekend and you can't wait to sleep in; it's been a long week and a good 10 hours of sleep will do you wonders, right?
What is long sleeper syndrome?
Long sleeping is an uncommon sleep finding or disorder characterized by the body's inclination to remain asleep for longer periods of time than would otherwise be deemed typical. This often results in 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night for people with the disorder.
Can too much sleep make you tired?
Research bears out the connection between too much sleep and too little energy. It appears that any significant deviation from normal sleep patterns can upset the body's rhythms and increase daytime fatigue.
Can you get too much sleep?
Too much sleep on a regular basis can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and death according to several studies done over the years. Too much is defined as greater than nine hours. The most common cause is not getting enough sleep the night before, or cumulatively during the week.
Should you sleep with socks on?
Wearing socks to bed may help you fall asleep faster and snooze better during the night. Research shows that thawing out icy feet can adjust your body's core temperature to put restful ZZZs within reach.
Is it better to sleep in a cold room?
Keeping your sleeping quarters at a temperature near 65°F (18.3°C), give or take a few degrees, is ideal. Your body's temperature decreases during sleep, and a cool, but not cold, room will help you settle into and maintain sleep throughout the night.
Which side is best to sleep on left or right?
Sleeping on your left side is thought to have the most benefits to your overall health. Still, either side can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief. You don't have to stick with one side the entire night. Feel free to start on your left side and see how your body feels.
What is wrong with me I sleep too much?
For people who suffer from hypersomnia, oversleeping is actually a medical disorder. The condition causes people to suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day, which is not usually relieved by napping. It also causes them to sleep for unusually long periods of time at night.
Why do I feel sleepy even after sleeping for 8 hours?
Anemia Having insufficient levels of iron in your blood could cause you to feel tired no matter how long you sleep at night. Dehydration – This one may be quite surprising; however, dehydration is one of the most common reasons that you feel tired.
Is it okay to sleep all day once in awhile?
And while the occasional long sleep is generally nothing to worry about, oversleeping several days a week could be a sign that something more serious is going on.
Can you sleep for 24 hours?
There have documented cases of people having as dramatic as 72 hour cycles, in which they would stay awake for 48 straight hours, and then sleep for 24 straight hours as a regular sleeping pattern. There are only a few known dramatic cases such as that though, and most cases fall within the 25 or 26 hour range.
Why do I sleep all day on weekends?
Some of us are more sensitive to evening light than others, meaning our melatonin is more suppressed. This can lead to later bedtimes, a greater sleep debt, a later clock and ultimately later and longer sleeps over the weekend.
Is 10 hours of sleep too much for a teenager?
Most teens need about eight to 10 hours of sleep a night on a regular basis to maintain optimal health and daytime alertness. But few teens actually get that much sleep regularly, thanks to early classes, homework, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, social demands and screen time.