Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
Research indicates a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and mortality, meaning both too little and too much sleep can increase health risks for older adults. So, **is too much sleep bad for seniors**? The answer is yes, often pointing to significant underlying health conditions.
While the sleep needs of older adults are similar to younger adults, consistently sleeping more than 9 hours per night may be a sign of an underlying medical problem. This is a crucial distinction when considering **what is considered too much sleep for seniors**, as it's not just about the number of hours but also how you feel and the potential health implications.
According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, major restorative functions like tissue repair, muscle growth, and protein synthesis occur almost exclusively during sleep. This critical process leads many to wonder: is sleeping a lot anti-aging, or is there a point of diminishing returns? The answer lies in finding the optimal duration and quality of sleep for your body's needs.
