Current:Home > reviewsDakota Johnson says she sleeps up to 14 hours per night. Is too much sleep a bad thing? -FundConnect
Dakota Johnson says she sleeps up to 14 hours per night. Is too much sleep a bad thing?
View
Date:2025-04-26 13:48:20
Is it healthy to sleep 10 to 14 hours per night? Dakota Johnson thinks so.
The "Fifty Shades of Grey" star, 34, shared in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, published Monday, that she's "not functional" if she gets less than 10 hours of sleep and "can easily go 14 hours" asleep in one night.
"I don’t have a regular (wake-up) time," she said. "It depends on what’s happening in my life. If I’m not working, if I have a day off on a Monday, then I will sleep as long as I can. Sleep is my number one priority in life."
Experts say the ideal amount of sleep varies depending on the individual; but, pushing 14 hours is likely overdoing it.
"There’s a range," explains Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of "The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night's Sleep without Relying on Medication." "The majority of people fall somewhere between seven to nine hours of sleep a night ... but there are some people who are outliers, with some needing only six hours and others closer to 10."
What is sleep hygiene?Tips and changes you can make to get better quality sleep.
How much sleep should you get, according to research?
For middle-aged to olderpeople looking to get the best sleep possible, seven hours of consistent sleep may be the sweet spot, research suggests. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night and teens get eight to 10.
More:Seven hours of consistent sleep may be best for middle-aged, older people, researchers say
Is there such a thing as too much sleep?
Though many struggle to get enough sleep, it's also possible to get too much of it.
Harris says what's too much sleep varies for each individual, but more than 10 is likely overboard. This can result in feeling "sleep drunk," or especially groggy or foggy, in the morning, she says.
"Some people can feel fine if they’re naturally longer sleepers, but oftentimes people who are very long sleepers don’t usually feel like the sleep is refreshing," she says.
Oversleeping may also be a red flag of an underlying sleep disorder, such as hypersomnia or sleep apnea, says Sarah Silverman, a licensed psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist.
"Sleep is just like shoe size," she says. "One size does not fit all, and some people are going to need more than eight. Some people are going to need less than eight. But really, I'd say that the sweet spot is going to be the number of hours of sleep that allows you to feel your best."
Joe Biden uses CPAP for sleep apnea:What to know about the common sleep disorder.
Why does getting enough sleep matter?
As people sleep, their brains work to consolidate memories and process things learned during the day, particularly during what's called deep sleep, Barbara Sahakian, a professor in the psychiatry department at the University of Cambridge, previously told USA TODAY.
But too little or too much sleep can create chronic stress. It can also cause changes in the hippocampus, a part of the brain vital to learning and memory, Sahakian said.
How can you improve your sleep?
If you’re looking to improve your nighttime habits and feel well-rested, here are some tips to better your sleep hygiene:
- Stay consistent: A regular bed and wake-up time can help set your biological clock to become sleepy at the same time every day.
- Wind down: A period of “wind-down time” is another step to ensure you’re getting a good quality night of sleep. Try a relaxing meditation, a warm bath or shower, reading, or listening to calming music
- Establish your sleeping space: The bedroom should be a cool, dark, quiet and comfortable place to ensure the best possible sleep experience. Dark shades and earplugs can help achieve this.
- Avoid alcohol, food, caffeine and electronics before bed: Eating before bed has been known to cause acid reflux, and caffeinated beverages (including soda, coffee, tea and chocolate) may keep you up at night. And while you may be tempted to end the night with a glass of wine, alcohol can impact your sleep. You should also avoid using electronics before bed and even leave them outside of the bedroom.
- Exercise regularly: Several studies have linked increased aerobic exercise and better quality sleep for individuals with insomnia.
Contributing: Saleen Martin, Daryl Austin and Clare Mulroy
veryGood! (4552)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- The largest great ape to ever live went extinct because of climate change, says new study
- As Maryland’s General Assembly Session Opens, Environmental Advocates Worry About Funding for the State’s Bold Climate Goals
- 25 years of 'The Sopranos': Here's where to watch every episode in 25 seconds
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Full House Cast Honors Bob Saget on 2nd Anniversary of His Death
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized for infection related to surgery for prostate cancer, Pentagon says
- With California’s deficit looming, schools brace for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spending plan
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- A judge has temporarily halted enforcement of an Ohio law limiting kids’ use of social media
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- NASA delays first Artemis astronaut flight to late 2025, moon landing to 2026
- Virginia police pull driver out of burning car after chase, bodycam footage shows
- The Pope wants surrogacy banned. Here's why one advocate says that's misguided
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The largest great ape to ever live went extinct because of climate change, says new study
- Southern Charm Reunion: See Olivia and Taylor's Vicious Showdown in Explosive Preview
- Musk's X signs content deals with Don Lemon, Tulsi Gabbard and Jim Rome
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Jimmy Kimmel vs. Aaron Rodgers: A timeline of the infamous feud
2 boys who fell through ice on a Wisconsin pond last week have died, police say
A one-on-one debate between Haley and DeSantis could help decide the Republican alternative to Trump
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
61-year-old man has been found -- three weeks after his St. Louis nursing home suddenly closed
“We are on air!” Masked gunmen storm TV studio in Ecuador as gang attacks in the country escalate
Cesarean deliveries surge in Puerto Rico, reaching a record rate in the US territory, report says