Sleeping too much is more dangerous than not sleeping enough

The Trap of Long Nights

We hear it over and over again: you need to rest to stay healthy. But did you know that overdoing it under the covers could actually be more harmful than not getting enough sleep? That’s the striking finding of a new study conducted by experts at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. By analyzing data from more than 2.1 million participants across 79 separate international studies, the researchers uncovered a surprising reality.

Specifically, what do the numbers show? People who sleep less than seven hours a night see their risk of death from all causes increase by 14% compared to those who get an optimal seven to eight hours of sleep. So far, nothing particularly new. But take note: for those who regularly sleep nine hours or more, that risk climbs to 34%. Yes, you read that right: sleeping too much appears to be statistically more dangerous than not getting enough sleep.

Men and Women: Inequality When It Comes to Sleep

We are not all equal when it comes to sleep. The study reveals notable disparities between the sexes, likely due to hormonal, behavioral, or cardiovascular differences. Men, for example, are more vulnerable to lack of rest: sleeping less than seven hours increases their risk of death by 16%, compared to 36% if they sleep eight hours or more.

Among women, the trend reverses dramatically. If their nights are too short, the risk increases by only 14%. On the other hand, if they sleep too long, the risk of mortality jumps by 44%. This is a considerable discrepancy.

Beyond these figures, Dr. György Purebl, director of the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at Semmelweis University and co-author of the study, speaks of a veritable “sleep epidemic.” Our behavior hasn’t changed in the past ten years despite increased awareness. He points to constant exposure to blue light, the pressure to be available 24 hours a day, and the disruption of our biological rhythms. The result? Millions of people—particularly shift workers and those with irregular schedules—are experiencing chronic sleep deprivation along with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a weakened immune system.

Stroke: When Sleep Tips the Scales

Hungarian researchers didn’t stop there. In a second study, they focused specifically on the link between sleep duration and strokes. Once again, the results call for caution. Sleeping five to six hours a night increases the risk of stroke by 29% and the likelihood of dying from one by 12% compared to “normal” sleepers who get seven to eight hours of sleep.

But look at what happens with heavy sleepers: beyond eight hours of sleep, the risk of stroke rises by 46%. Worse still, the risk of dying from a stroke increases by 45%. Dr. Balázs Győrffy, lead author of both studies and head of the Department of Bioinformatics at Semmelweis University, points out that stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

The message is clear: sleep is a modifiable risk factor. Incorporating it into prevention strategies could not only ease the burden on healthcare systems but, above all, save lives. This isn’t a reason to panic, but rather to aim, as much as possible, for that well-known balance of seven to eight hours.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Created by humans, assisted by AI.

Sleeping too much is more dangerous than not sleeping enough