If you’re one of the 25% of Brits who feel tired most of the time, you’ve probably dreamed of a luxurious lie-in. But while many people simply don’t have the time to catch a full, luxurious eight hours, there are those who do hit the hay for the recommended eight-hour sleep yet still wake up feeling groggy and under-slept. And for some of them, that feeling of never quite getting enough kip will be caused by ‘long-sleeper syndrome’.

The rare condition results in people waking up feeling exhausted, needing to nap throughout the day, and constantly craving extra time in bed. If you always seem to be tired – even after a long, peaceful night of sleep – you may be a long-sleeper yourself.

What is long-sleeper syndrome?

“Long-sleeper syndrome can essentially be defined as the habitual need to sleep for longer than your age group,” says Dan Fabian, a sleep health expert and founder of Ten PM. The syndrome only affects around 2% of the population and leads to adults craving around 10 hours of sleep a day to function normally.

As Fabian explains, people with long-sleeper syndrome don’t choose to sleep more – they physically need to. “This isn’t just someone being lazy, but it’s someone whose body and mind needs more time to recover and recharge than what is considered usual or average for their age group,” he says.

Casey Paul, a positive psychology coach, notes that long-sleeper syndrome is unique among sleep disorders. “The sleep itself is of normal quality and is not broken or disrupted,” she says. “Also, the need for extended sleep is consistent and not significantly altered by lifestyle changes, stress or other external factors.”

Long-sleeper syndrome can also be caused by a genetic mutation. “Gene variations, such as to the gene DEC2 which affects how long you sleep for, are fairly uncommon, but they can cause a person to have an increased need for sleep, get sleepier throughout the day, and need more sleep during the night,” explains Dreams sleep expert Sammy Margo. 

“The average person needs about 7-9 hours of sleep a night and with this they should be able to get through the day without a nap, but there are various tests you can do to investigate whether or not you have the ‘sleepy gene’.”

What are the symptoms of long-sleeper syndrome?

“The main symptom may sound like an obvious one, but it’s when someone sleeps longer than usual on a consistent and regular basis,” Fabian says.

For many long-sleepers, getting this much sleep isn’t always possible. So, another main symptom is a constant feeling of grogginess and a propensity to nap during the day. “People with long-sleeper syndrome who don’t get the sleep they require will often be sleep deprived; many will then try to catch up on the weekend with extended lie-ins, often sleeping for 12 hours or more,” he says.

Paul adds: “This pattern usually begins in childhood or adolescence and continues into adulthood.”

There is limited research into the health implications of being a long-sleeper. “Some research suggests that long-sleepers have been found to have an elevated risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, but the findings aren’t specific on whether long-sleeping is a potential cause,” notes Fabian.

The other main sign is feeling fully alert, refreshed and functioning optimally – but only after getting an extended sleep. People will have trouble waking up in the morning and feeling groggy if they don’t get this amount of sleep.

There are other reasons why you might crave extra sleep

Long-sleeper syndrome is a relatively rare condition; however, there are many people who feel that they need more sleep than the average person. As Fabian notes, there are other reasons why certain people may experience some of the symptoms of long-sleeper syndrome even though they don’t have the disorder.

For instance, people with poor sleep hygiene may also feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. Also, people with depression and other mental health conditions may find themselves craving daytime naps or seeking more time in bed.

How can long-sleepers feel less tired throughout the day?

If you are diagnosed with long-sleeper syndrome, you may wonder whether it’s possible to ‘train’ your body to require less sleep. However, because it’s a condition that means your body simply needs more time resting, it’s not really possible. “Their extended sleep requirement is biologically based and usually starts from their early ages,” says Paul. Instead, it’s recommended that long-sleepers learn to prioritise quality sleep.

“The bodies of long-sleepers need that extra sleep time to recover and rest,” says Fabian. “So, it’s more important to manage the condition to make sure you get as much quality sleep as possible, especially during the working week.”

• Set an early bedtime where possible and be strict about it, so you can fit in as many hours of sleep as possible
• Try to fall asleep faster so that you don’t ‘waste time’ lying awake
• Make sure the bedroom environment is conducive to sleep by ensuring the room is dark, cool and clutter-free
• Try to avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed
• Supplement the body with minerals and amino acids known to improve sleep quality, such as magnesium, glycine and l-theanine

If you suspect you have long-sleeper syndrome, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional who will be able to help you create a sleep routine that works for you.

Images: Getty