Olivia Rodrigo Enjoys 13 Hours of Sleep on Guts World Tour. Is Oversleeping Harmful?
Going on a world tour requires more than just courage; according to Olivia Rodrigo, it also means embracing a lengthy sleep routine.
“I sleep a lot while on tour,” the 21-year-old star, famed for her song “Vampire,” shared with Complex in an article released on Friday. “At times, I get up to 13 hours of sleep. I’m completely drained, which consumes a lot of my time.”
Rodrigo isn’t alone in her sleeping habits. In December, actress Dakota Johnson, 34, mentioned in The Wall Street Journal that she feels “not functional” when she gets less than 10 hours and can easily doze off for 14 hours in a single night.
“I have no set wake-up time,” Johnson explained. “It really depends on my life circumstances. On a day off, for instance, I’ll sleep as long as I can. Sleep is my top priority.”
But can someone actually sleep too much?
This is subjective. Experts indicate that while the ideal amount of sleep may differ for each person, consistently getting 13 or 14 hours could be excessive. Nonetheless, those who feel particularly fatigued or sleep-deprived might benefit from a longer sleep occasionally.
“There’s a spectrum,” said Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep without Relying on Medication.” “Most individuals fall within the range of seven to nine hours per night. But some people are exceptions, needing as little as six hours, while others may require closer to 10.”
What is the Recommended Amount of Sleep?
Research suggests that middle-aged to older adults should aim for about seven hours of uninterrupted sleep for optimal health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get at least seven hours, while teens should target eight to ten hours.
Can You Sleep Too Much?
While many individuals struggle to get sufficient sleep, it is indeed possible to oversleep.
Harris has mentioned that “too much sleep” varies from person to person, but consistently sleeping over 10 hours can lead to feeling “sleep drunk,” which indicates grogginess upon waking.
“While some may feel fine if they’re naturally heavy sleepers, those who sleep excessively often report feeling unrefreshed by their sleep,” she explained.
Moreover, oversleeping might signal an underlying sleep issue, like hypersomnia or sleep apnea, according to Sarah Silverman, a licensed psychologist and specialist in behavioral sleep medicine, who has mentioned to YSL News.
“Just like shoe sizes, sleep needs vary among individuals,” she noted. “Some people will require more than eight hours, while others will need less. Ultimately, the amount of sleep that makes you feel your best is what matters.”
Why is Sleep Important?
Sleep is when our brains work to merge memories and process what we’ve learned during the day, especially during deep sleep stages, said Barbara Sahakian, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge.
However, both inadequate and excessive sleep can lead to chronic stress and alterations in the hippocampus, a critical region for memory and learning, Sahakian explained.
How to Enhance Your Sleep Quality?
If you’re looking to improve your sleep quality and feel more rested, consider these tips for better sleep hygiene:
- Maintain Regularity: Sticking to a coherent sleeping and waking schedule can help tune your body’s internal clock to feel sleepy at consistent times each day.
- Unwind: Spend some time winding down before bed. Reading, meditating, taking a warm bath, or listening to soothing music can help.
- Prepare Your Sleep Space: Create a cool, dark, and quiet environment for optimal sleep. Using blackout curtains and earplugs can aid in achieving this.
- Limit Stimulants and Electronics: Avoid eating, drinking caffeine, or using electronics close to bedtime, as these can interfere with sleep quality.
- Stay Active: Engage in regular aerobic exercise, which has been shown to improve sleeping patterns, especially for those dealing with insomnia.
Contributors: Saleen Martin, Daryl Austin, and Clare Mulroy