New Delhi, May 25 (TIWN): Do you love to sleep? Or are you one of those who wake up at the stroke of dawn? Well, it turns out that both are bad for our mental health. A new study now suggests that sleeping for nine hours a night could be as bad for your memory as only getting five.

While it is well known that people who sleep for fewer than five hours a night may experience memory problems, a study has now found the same effects in those who get a stable nine hours a night sleep as well.

Researchers studied memory tests for almost four lakh people who were asked to match six pairs of hidden cards after memorizing their positions. They found that when compared to people who slept for seven hours, those who reported sleeping for nine hours made the same number of errors as people sleeping for five hours or less.

In fact, the study reported that they made 5 per cent more errors in the card game. As for those who slept for 10 hours or more, they made a whopping 11 per cent more errors.