New Research Reveals Sleeping Late on Weekends Could Extend Your Life
A new study published in Sleep Health magazine has revealed that sleeping late on the weekends could actually extend your life. Scientists at Nanjing Medical University in China conducted the study with a sample of 3,400 people to understand how sleep cycles affect health.
The results of the study found that getting two extra hours of sleep on the weekend can reduce the chances of a heart attack or stroke by 63%, especially for people who sleep less than six hours during the week. The researchers noted that weekend recovery sleep in adults is associated with a low risk of angina, stroke, and coronary heart disease. This suggests that catching up on sleep over the weekend can have significant health benefits, particularly for those who have a sleep deficit during the week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least seven hours of sleep a night, and the study found that those who slept less than six hours during the week and had no opportunity to catch up on sleep at weekends experienced much higher rates of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, people who got a few more hours of sleep in their free time were two-thirds less likely to experience life-threatening medical emergencies. The findings indicate that sleeping less from Monday to Friday is tolerable as long as you can make up for it on Saturday and Sunday.
However, it is important not to overdo it. Another study has shown that sleeping too much can actually be harmful. People who slept more than nine hours a night were found to be more likely to have a stroke, and regularly sleeping too much has previously been linked to other health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and an increased risk of death.
The new research could have significant implications for public health recommendations and highlights the potential benefits of prioritizing sleep, especially on weekends, to improve overall health and longevity.