Who doesn’t look forward to the weekend when the alarm clock finally stops ringing and you can make yourself comfortable in bed?
But did you know that a relaxed weekend routine is not only good for your mood, but can also have a positive effect on your health and lifespan?
How dangerous is lack of sleep?
Research recommends that adults should get an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night to function optimally. Anyone who regularly stays significantly below this puts their body in a state of chronic fatigue.
Lack of sleep impairs mental performance, weakens the immune system and increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. In the long term, persistent lack of sleep can even shorten life expectancy.
However, getting enough sleep can not only contribute to a longer life, but also improve the quality of life.
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How healthy is sleeping in?
One study from 2019 showed that people who sleep less than six hours a night during the week but sleep in on weekends have a lower risk of death than people who consistently sleep too little.
The researchers say that sleeping in on the weekend can act as a type of “recovery sleep”. This allows the body to recover from the exertions of the week.
