Lately I just want to sleep: possible causes and what to do

“I just want to sleep. For some time now I just wanted to close my eyes and let myself be embraced by rest, without needing to think about anything, do anything… Many can identify with this thought. Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous character, pointed out that sleep is almost always the solution to all ills and worries. Now, sometimes, more than a solution it can be an escape route.

Allowing ourselves to be carried away by that state of unconsciousness in which body and mind remain inactive and at rest can be healthy. However, Good rest is one that respects circadian rhythms, one that does not exceed 8 or 9 hours a day. Because beyond what we may think, if sleeping too little is dangerous for our health, sleeping too much can also take its toll on us.

Life is balance, adapting to a series of biorhythms and becoming aware of the body’s needs. Suddenly realizing that we need more hours of sleep than usual is not a normal state. and, therefore, we must know the underlying causes.

I just want to sleep: why is that?

Sleeping excessively is not exactly recommended or healthy.. In fact, most of us have experienced that feeling at some point, waking up after a 10 or 11 hour rest and feeling more sleepy than normal. What’s more, studies such as those carried out at Stanford University of Medicine point out something indicative on this topic.

Sleeping more than 9 hours affects the quality of life and can be a problem for work performance, academic and even social. We know that excessive sleep maintained over time creates a sedentary lifestyle that increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular and brain diseases. We are not facing a fact that we should let pass.

The feeling that in recent weeks I just want to sleep is an indicator of an underlying problem that we must know and manage. We delve into it.

Accumulated stress and fatigue

Sometimes, we go through times with high pressure at work, with greater family demands or with excessive worries. If this situation continues beyond a week, Body and mind become trapped in a state of hyperactivity and wear and tear.

In the end, there will come a moment when the brain will only demand one thing from us: rest. These are those moments when there is only one option: give the body what it needs.

Underlying diseases

The Spanish Sleep Society also considers that The need to sleep constantly is an indicator of some underlying illness. In most cases, sleep disorders have a link with physical disorders and this is something that we must keep in mind. Therefore, it is advisable to speak with the doctor.

The most common diseases or problems associated with the need to sleep are usually the following:

Hormonal alterations. Hypothyroidism is usually associated with both extreme tiredness and excessive sleeping. These indicators are red alerts that we must keep in mind.Insufficient night sleep. Many people sleep poorly at night. This causes that in the morning, in addition to being tired, they only want to be able to get a restful rest.Narcolepsy. Within sleep disorders, we have those categories defined by hypersomnia, that is, excessive sleep. One of the triggers may be narcolepsy, a neurological disease capable of causing the person to fall asleep during the day without having control over it. Kleine-Levin syndrome. This disorder is rare and appears mainly in male adolescents. Presents with hyperphagia, aggression and hypersexualityObstructive sleep apnea. It is a disease in which small obstructions in breathing are experienced throughout the night. Thus, in addition to snoring, it is very common to experience intense daytime hypersomnia.

Sleep as a form of escape and not out of necessity

One thing is hypersomnia and another is the voluntary desire to sleep as a mechanism to escape.. The first defines a physiological need motivated by a physiological or metabolic alteration (such as hypothyroidism). The second, on the other hand, is something very common when the person feels mentally saturated.

It is also a way to escape from responsibilities. That is, that of “I have to do a lot of things, everything is piling up and I don’t know where to start, but right now I just want to sleep.” Behind this behavior is procrastination and, often, even anxiety that we do not manage correctly.

For a while now I just want to sleep (hidden depression)

In a study from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) they tell us about the evident relationship between sleep disorders and depression. Thus, a very recurrent manifestation among those who suffer from this mood disorder is either insomnia or, on the contrary, hypersomnia.

A common fact is to seek rest and seclusion from the bed or the sofa as that resource from which to escape. Stopping being who we are and falling into sleep is a way of escaping, of relieving suffering… In many cases, everything reflects the relief of depression.

What should I do if I just want to sleep lately?

The most appropriate thing in all cases is to consult with the doctor to understand the origin of this need. Sometimes, it is the body that demands this rest. Other times, it is the mind that longs to curl up on the pillow to avoid worries or emotional problems.

If we consider that in recent weeks we have not stopped thinking that “I just want to sleep”, the following reflections may come in handy.

Note that Sleeping more than 9 hours each day will affect your health and you will feel more tired.The best thing is to have a routine and fixed schedules. Going to bed and getting up at the same time is essential.Avoid a sedentary lifestyle: Include activities in your days that motivate you. Exercising or doing some type of craft that helps focus attention is always very helpful. Try to sunbathe whenever possible (and with adequate protection). Light therapy allows us to adjust circadian rhythms to improve sleep hygiene.

To conclude, let us keep in mind that the good quality of our rest always influences the quality of life. Our physical and mental health depend on it.

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