Is There Such a Thing As “Too Much Sleep?”

One of my Christian BFFs approached me after Church this past Sunday.

I could tell something was troubling her.

“I think I sleep too much,” she whispered, almost as if she were embarrassed.

At first, I couldn’t figure out why she was even mentioning this to me.

But she told me that she felt that she had to sleep more than 7.5 hours, which is what everyone recommends.

And if she slept less than that, she would always feel tired.

“Isn’t this too much sleep?” She asked. “Does this mean I’m too lazy?”

I will tell you what I told my BFF, and what I tell everyone who thinks that getting too much sleep means they are “lazy.”

The truth is, you have to sleep as much as you feel like you need to. Period.

There was a study in Japan where they had people sleep for however long they wanted to.

And they did that in a controlled environment.

With no technology, social media, or anything else that disrupts people’s sleep.

After they got used to it, the participants slept for 8.7 hours on average. This was what was most ideal for them.

When I first read about that, it felt like too much to me as well.

But then another study came out, that was done in collaboration with Stanford (in the US), and the University Of Siri in the UK.

They followed the same process.

And they found that if they let people sleep however long they want to, with no distractions

They would sleep for 8.6 hours on average.

How did 2 different studies from across the globe, with different people, end up at almost the same conclusion?

Well, the answer is simple.

We have to sleep for however long we want to.

I am not saying that we should aim for 8.6 or 8.7 hours of sleep per night.

The participants in the study were youngsters, and this is what was right for them.

What I am saying is that sleeping more than 7.5 hours does not mean we are lazy.

Sleep is essential for our health.

Everyone nowadays likes to glorify work, looking down on people who like to rest

But our minds and our spirits need it.

So let us rest without guilt.

You Will Not Ever Wake Up Tired Again If You Do This

Have you ever woken up tired, even though you slept for 8 hours?

You are not alone.

Dozens of people have opened up to me about this very reason.

They have a strict bedtime routine, they reach their recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep, but still, they wake up feeling drained.

So much so that no amount of coffee can make any difference.

If you also have energy challenges, let me assure you. There is nothing wrong with you.

God created our systems with a remarkable ability to restore and heal themselves.

But for that to happen, the amount of sleep we enjoy is not enough.

The quality of our sleep is equally important.

In other words, how much deep sleep we have.

It is during this deep sleep stage that our systems actually rejuvenate.

But there’s a catch.

As important as deep sleep is, it compromises less than a third of our overall sleep.

Meaning that if you sleep for 7.5 hours, the deep sleep part would be less than 2.5 hours.

And a multitude of factors, including stress, nutrition, and lifestyle, can reduce this percentage even further.

This explains why you might wake up feeling tired after sleeping for 8 hours. You’re getting sleep, but not enough deep sleep.

But fear not, because our gracious Lord has designed our systems to respond and adapt. 

The answer to sleeping sounder is found right within our Sacred Texts.

Psalm 127:2 says “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is the Notthing you can do to improve sleep quality.

God designed us with a natural sleep-wake cycle, often referred to as the circadian rhythm. 

Following a consistent sleep schedule regulates this rhythm and improves sleep quality.

This means that we shouldn’t stay up late worrying about our concerns, watching TV series, or even working.

God has generously blessed us with the ability to rest. We should honor this present by ensuring we sleep properly, and at about the same time each night.

If you’re also facing energy challenges, why don’t you try it?

My 2 Favorite Prayers to Say at Night to Help me Get a Good Night of Sleep

If you need help finding some prayers to say before you lay down for the night,

then here are two of my favorite prayers I say before I journey off to my dreams.

Prayer Before Bed

Lord God, many things have happened today. Some good, some bad, some hard, some joyful. Before I go to sleep, I want to entrust all these things to You. Honestly, there are many things I can’t figure out. Many circumstances are confusing. Many situations are just plain hard. Even though I can’t figure out how all these things will work out, I know that You are good, and I know that You will do good for me. Ultimately, I know that I can completely trust You. As I go to sleep, I declare that I trust in You. I may not know how all things will work out, but You do, and because You are good, I proclaim my trust in You. Amen.

Night Prayer to God

Holy Spirit, sleep is a reminder that I am totally and completely dependent upon You. I don’t have infinite strength. I cannot keep working indefinitely. I need sleep to refresh me. As I drift off to sleep, it’s a clear reminder that I am not in control. I need You to sustain me through the night, and I need You to sustain me through my life. Please give me the grace of sleep. Give me the grace of strength. Allow me to wake refreshed in the morning. I depend on You, my good and gracious Father. I trust You to sustain me and to wake me with fresh energy for a new day in the morning. Amen.