Reasons you Feel Sleepy Even After Getting Enough Hours of Sleep

If sleeping were a job, you'd be employee of the year. 

Even if Kumbhkaran lived today, he'd quit, because the competition for sleeping hours is more challenging than government exams!

So are you competing for a never-ending sleep? No! Oh, you mean you don't wanna sleep this much? But your body is forcing you to feel tired every time? 

Do you know that oversleeping can be related to serious health issues like diabetes, depression, obesity, and heart disease? Now, the main question is how to identify if it is normal or a sign of any severe health complication?

Let's get started.

Is sleeping too much a disorder?

Still thinking, sleeping too much is bad or a disorder? 

So the answer is yes, it can be a disorder. This disorder is called hypersomnia. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, longer sleep hours, and also a signal of health issues like sleep apnea, depression, or thyroid problems.

And you know who is at high risk? People with depression, students with irregular sleep cycles, those with thyroid issues, diabetes, sleep apnea, or those on heavy medication are at high risk of oversleeping. These issues are slightly ok, but continuously ignoring them can be life-threatening in the long run, as it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and even early death.

Also read: Left-Side Headache: Types, Causes, Treatment & More.

Causes of Oversleeping

Feeling overslept can be caused by weakness, stress, or overloading at work. However, here is the list of causes of oversleeping you should know:

• Depression & Anxiety

Are you suffering from over-anxiety, stress, or overthinking? Then it's likely that you may experience oversleeping. Feeling depressed can lower your serotonin and dopamine levels, which can make you feel drained and sleepy all day. Also, anxiety can cause poor sleep at night and excessive tiredness in the morning.

Quick Tip:

Try to follow a fixed routine, get morning sunlight, talk to someone you trust, and seek therapy if needed.

• Sleep Apnea

Do you know the term sleep apnea? It is a condition that your airways will automatically block as you sleep. It may cause shortness of breath or frequent pauses in breathing at night. Due to this disturbance, you can feel sleepy in the morning. It may also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Quick Tip:

Losing extra weight and avoiding alcohol before bed can be helpful. Also, you can consult a doctor for CPAP therapy.

• Thyroid Imbalance

If you are suffering from an underactive thyroid, then it may slow down your metabolism and make you feel tired. In this condition, you may experience weight gain, dry skin, hair fall, sluggishness, and constant fatigue.

Quick Tip:

Get a thyroid test done and follow proper medication. Also, eating iodine-rich foods (milk, curd, eggs, seaweed) can be helpful.

• Vitamin Deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lower energy production and affect brain function. This effect can make you feel sleepy even after 8+ hours of rest.

Quick Tip:

Take a blood test or a vitamin B12 test to determine its quantity. Additionally, eating spinach, nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals can be beneficial.

• Chronic Illness

Yes, diseases like diabetes, heart problems, or neurological disorders can put stress on your body. That may lengthen your sleep cycle, reduce your stamina, affect daily productivity, and overall health. 

Quick Tip:

Following treatment plans, eating a balanced diet, and regularly tracking blood sugar or BP can be beneficial.

• Poor Sleep Quality

This is also the leading cause of oversleeping or feeling tired every time. It can be due to factors such as laziness, excessive screen time, a noisy environment, or caffeine before bed. Ignoring this can lead to hormonal imbalance, poor focus, risk of obesity, and weakened immunity.

Quick Tip:

Maintain a fixed bedtime, avoid screens 1 hour before sleep, and keep your bedroom dark and quiet.

• Medication Side Effects

Certain medicines like antidepressants, antihistamines, and painkillers have sedative effects. Consuming any of them can increase drowsiness and make you sleep longer than usual.

Quick Tip:

Ask your doctor to adjust the dosage or switch to non-drowsy alternatives.

• Hypersomnia

As mentioned above, it is a neurological condition where your brain struggles to regulate sleep-wake cycles. You may sleep 12-14 hours a day and still feel sleepy. Also, it may have a severe impact on work, relationships, and daily life.

Quick Tip:
Consult a sleep specialist, follow a strict sleep routine, and avoid alcohol or sedatives.

Also read: 10 Home Remedies for Headache: Effective Relief Without Pills.

How can you stop sleeping too much?

Are you struggling with oversleeping and feeling frustrated? Here's a guide to creating a healthy sleeping routine that's just right, neither too little nor too much.

• Following a fixed sleep schedule can be helpful. It may help train your brain and reduce unnecessary sleep.
• Getting morning exposure to sunlight can boost melatonin regulation and keep you alert.
• Keep your room dark, calm, quiet, and avoid screen time 1 hour before bed.
• Keep naps under 20-30 minutes, but never after 4 PM. Long naps disrupt your nighttime sleep and can lead to oversleeping in the morning. 
• Get tested for thyroid, vitamin deficiencies, or sleep disorders. Early detection can help you manage the situation.

Final Thought

Feeling sleepy all the time, even after getting enough sleep, can be due to many reasons. It could be due to a deficiency of vitamin B12, thyroid imbalance, high screen time, or chronic illness. Ignoring it can lead to health risks like obesity, heart problems, low productivity, and even early death.

However, fixing your sleep schedule, getting sunlight, eating balanced food, exercising daily, staying hydrated, and treating medical conditions are all important. And listen, if you are tired of going outside for a checkup, then you can book your appointment online at Redcliffe Labs. It will ensure 100% accurate reports with free consultation.

FAQ

• Is it normal to sleep for 12 hours?

No, regularly sleeping 12 hours may signal health issues like depression, thyroid problems, or hypersomnia.

• How to stop oversleeping?

Set a fixed sleep schedule, stay active, avoid late-night screens, and treat any medical conditions.

• Why am I sleeping too much all of a sudden?

Sudden oversleeping can happen due to stress, vitamin deficiency, hormonal changes, infection, or medication side effects.

• How do you recover from oversleeping?

To reset your body clock, get up at the same time every day, drink plenty of water, engage in mild exercise, and get better sleep at night.