Genetics, lifestyle choices, and undiagnosed sleep disorders may all play a role. In addition, some studies suggest that differences in brain wave activity during sleep may also make someone a light or heavy sleeper.
Not getting enough sleep -- sometimes by choice -- is the most common cause of excessive sleepiness. Working at night and sleeping during the day is another. Other causes include drug, alcohol, or cigarette use, lack of physical activity, obesity, and the use of certain medications.
Oversleeping can have various impacts on your health and wellbeing. While most heavy sleepers probably find they don't experience these symptoms, it's worth noting that sleeping too long can affect you. Heavy sleepers are more likely to suffer from: Mental health problems.
Night owls rejoice! New research suggests that sleeping late is a sign of intelligence and that late sleepers may have a higher IQ and be less stressed!
Deep Sleep May Be in the Genes
First, they found people with a mutation on the adenosine deaminase gene had deeper, more intense sleep than people with the more common type of the gene.
What Causes Some People to Be Light Sleepers and Not Others? Researchers still do not know what makes someone a light sleeper or heavy sleeper. Genetics, an underlying sleep disorder, or aspects of the bedroom environment can all contribute.
Our sleep styles are determined by our preferred sleep schedule and internal clock, how our energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, our personality, and even our feelings about bedtime in general. Hey, some of us still fight lights-out time, even though we've been adulting for years.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, sleep is a busy time for your body. Various processes are at work that help everything from your cardiovascular system to your brain function at their best. It's because of this that getting enough sleep can improve your overall health, which may help boost your longevity.
Advantages of Heavy Sleepers
They do not wake up as easily and spend more time in a deeply restful state. As a result, they feel more rested and have more energy during the day.
It is very difficult to wake someone during stages 3 and 4, which together are called deep sleep. There is no eye movement or muscle activity. People awakened during deep sleep do not adjust immediately and often feel groggy and disoriented for several minutes after they wake up.
While it may not be easy, heavy sleepers can become light sleepers. One way to achieve this is by setting a regular sleep schedule and sticking to it as much as possible. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
Sleeping well can lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, bringing nutrients—and a healthy color—to the skin. Sleep also slows the aging of the heart and blood vessels. Poor circulation and arterial aging are major contributors to the appearance of aging on the skin and hair.
Are some babies just born "good sleepers" while others are not? The answer is no according to Dr. Darius Loghmanee, a pediatric sleep medicine physician at Advocate Children's Hospital.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): 11-13 hours. School-aged children (6-13 years): 9-11 hours. Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours. Adults (18 and older): 7-9 hours.
Types of sleepers: lion, wolf, bear and dolphin.
People who sleep on one side with arms outstretched may be open-natured but somewhat suspicious. They also tend to stick with their decisions. Stomach sleeping with hands up or under the pillow is linked to a sociable nature and a dislike of criticism.
Some of the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep. Other signs and symptoms include an irregular sleep and wake cycle and difficulty falling asleep.
Some say that they don't have dreams, but in all likelihood they do, it's just that they don't remember their dreams because they are heavy sleepers. It is a fact about dreaming, though, that some genuinely cannot dream.
But while it might not be possible to train yourself to sleep less, researchers working with the military have found that you can bank sleep beforehand if you plan well in advance. At the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research they had people go to bed a couple of hours earlier than usual every night for a week.
The natural short sleep gene mutations are extremely rare. There is currently no widely available way to test for it. Keep in mind that habitual short sleepers suffer no side effects. But if you're curious, you should consult your doctor about your sleeping habits.
What Causes Waking Up in the Middle of the Night? Most people wake up once or twice during the night. Reasons this might happen include drinking caffeine or alcohol late in the day, a poor sleep environment, a sleep disorder, or another health condition.