I just feel like sleeping: possible causes, and what to do

Constant and very intense sleep may be a sign that a disorder is manifesting itself.

It is normal to feel tired at times. After working hard all day, taking care of children or studying for final exams, the body becomes fatigued and needs a good night's sleep.

Sleep is one of the best cures, since it helps regenerate the body, calms the mind and body and allows you to be disconnected for a few hours. However, the desire to sleep can be a problem, the desire to sleep can be a problem experienced throughout the day for several weeks. They can be the indicator that something is not going as it should and it is necessary to see what is going on.

Therefore, there are many people who consider this a warning sign and ask themselves a typical question with which they often come to the psychologist's office: why do I only feel like sleeping? Let's see what may be the causes behind this desire to rest taken to an extreme, in addition to seeing some strategies and good habits to cope with this situation.

"I just feel like sleeping": possible causes.

When you only feel like sleeping and this problem is prolonged for a long time it is possible that there is a problem that should be given importance.

In principle, Sleep is necessary for the body to be able to recover.. While sleeping, the body secretes growth hormone, which not only contributes to the body's development, but also helps to regenerate it. When deep sleep is reached, the organism acquires a situation of deep calm and tranquility, which allows us to disconnect from the stress of everyday life, in addition to serving to restructure our thoughts and be able to give the best of ourselves the next day. This is why a good night's sleep is so important, since it allows us to cope with daily demands and lead a full and happy life.

Lack of sleep is cumulative. Sacrificing hours of sleep at night has repercussions for the next day.. The body needs to make up for the hours that have not been slept. If this situation is repeated continuously for a long period of time, it can lead to a situation of hypersomnia quite serious, in which it will interfere with the sufferer's work and family life by falling asleep at the office or not being able to spend time with loved ones because they urgently need a nap.

In addition to not having a good sleep hygiene, it can be the case of having a lifestyle with bad habits. Lack of hydration, in addition to having a diet that is rich in sugars and lacking in nutrients can lead to a state of malnutrition that produces fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

Stress is not a good friend of sleep. Living through a process of anxiety can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. After lying down for hours without being able to sleep, when the day comes, the desire to sleep suddenly appears, something that cannot be satisfied if you have a work life or other obligations that must be performed during the day. Another thing that can happen is that you manage to sleep, but not in a deep way and, therefore, you do not benefit from a restful sleep.

Some disorders related to excessive sleep

In addition to all the causes discussed here, which are more behavioral and related to inadequate health habits, it should be noted that psychological disorders and medical illnesses can also be behind the desire to sleep all day long..

Depression is one of the mental disorders in which it is more frequent that the person manifests symptoms of hypersomnia. People suffering from a depressed mood may sleep more than normal, going to bed early and waking up quite late the next day. Sleeping long hours may be a way to "make their problem go away" for a while. Another reason this may be done is that sleep, for some people, is the closest thing to being dead.

Hypersomniaas a disorder in itself, is the fact of having a great need to sleep during the day, without nighttime sleep being affected. It is common when you are in a monotonous situation, although yawning and the urge to snooze is a concern. Also, if they fall asleep during the day, the sleep may not be entirely restful.

Kleine-Levin syndrome is another rare sleep disorder that usually occurs in men. Those who manifest it may suffer episodes once a year in which they spend 16 to 18 hours at a time sleeping.

Another case is narcolepsyin which one goes from being awake to being asleep quickly and suddenly, although this sleep is restorative and lasts about 2 or 3 hours, despite the danger of these sleep attacks if one is driving, for example.

Among the medical diseases associated with sleep problems are anemia, diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and morbid obesity. In addition, the abuse of certain substances, such as marijuana, can contribute to an extreme need for sleep.

What to do in the face of so much sleep?

There are different ways to cope with this great need to want to sleep, however these are not going to be very effective if you do not first find out what is the origin of what causes it. Below we explain some strategies to reduce the desire to sleep during the day.

1. Caffeine consumption

It is well known that beverages such as coffee or tea are activators. Caffeine is an exciting substance that can be the ally to face an exhausting day and delay the desire to sleep.

However, it is important to point out that, although it is not a dangerous substance, it is addictive and consuming it in large quantities can have a negative effect on the body. and consuming it in large quantities can have the rebound effect of not being able to sleep at night, causing an even greater desire to sleep.causing even more desire to sleep the next day. Moderation is the key.

2. Organization and discipline

Many times, studies and work can get out of control, arriving the day when we have to deliver a paper or a report and, although we were given plenty of time in advance to prepare it, we have to do it the day before it is due. Because of this, we work late into the night, sacrificing hours.

Let's face it, we are to blame for this. The best way to avoid this type of situation is to get organized and have it ready well in advance so we don't have to worry about it. so that we don't have to worry until the wee hours of the morning.

If we go to sleep when we should, we will enjoy more hours of sleep, we will be able to reach deep sleep more easily and we will enjoy a restful sleep.

Meditation, exercise and relaxation

It is no mystery that meditation helps to calm the body and mind. Meditating or practicing relaxation techniques before going to sleep can help to relax the body, facilitating better sleep.facilitating a better sleep.

If you get a good night's sleep, it is more likely that the next day you will not feel the urge to go to sleep.

Physical exercise, especially cardiovascular exercisehelps to secrete endorphins in the brain that induce a feeling of well-being and less stress. This helps you fall asleep and allows you to wake up the next day fully recovered and energized.

4. Healthy nutrition

Malnutrition and dehydration can be behind feeling very sleepy during the day. during the day. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, in addition to consuming healthy amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, helps the body to fulfill all its basic functions.

To avoid feeling like sleeping all day long, it is advisable to start the day with a balanced breakfast because, although it has been demystified that it is the most important meal of the day, it is true that it is the first meal.

5. To go to professionals

If the cause behind this problem is a mood disorder or a medical disease such as anemia, it is very important to to go to a psychologist or doctor so that he/she can make a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment..

Among the treatments that can be used, it has been noted that light therapy can help readjust circadian cycles, which are the key to enjoying healthy sleep.

Bibliographic references:

• Erro, M. E. and Zandio, B. (2007). Hypersomnias: diagnosis, classification and treatment. Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra, 30(1), 113-120.
• Dauvilliers, Y., Lopez, R., Ohayon, C. and Bayard, S. (2013). Hypersomnia and depressive symptoms: methodological and clinical aspects. BMC Medicine. 11(78), 1-9.