Enjoying a weekend lie-in might actually be good for your health, as new research indicates catching up on lost sleep could lower the risk of heart disease by as much as 20%.

 

The study involved scrutinising data from over 90,000 UK participants, suggesting that extra time in bed at weekends may counteract some of the adverse effects of weekday sleep deprivation.

 

Coming from the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, the findings revealed that those who managed the most ‘catch-up’ sleep on weekends experienced a dramatic decrease in heart disease risk compared to individuals who didn’t compensate with additional rest or those who slept less on weekends.

 

However, common advice often emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine for optimum sleep quality. But what about the benefits and drawbacks of indulging in weekend lie-ins?

 

Extra sleep after a long week can not only lift your spirits but potentially contribute to your overall wellbeing.

 

“Although lie-ins are no substitute for good sleep hygiene, an extra hour or so will do you no harm, and may improve your mood,” comments Theresa Schnorbach, a psychologist and sleep scientist with Emma – The Sleep Company.

 

Moreover, sufficient rest is crucial for our mental and physical recovery.

 

“Sleep helps to refresh your body and recover from the day’s physical activity,” Schnorbach adds, underlining the restorative power of a good night’s sleep.

 

Schnorbach explains, “Sleep also impacts brain function. The early stages of sleep are restorative; this is the stage of sleep that helps improve your memory, learning, reaction time and logistical reasoning.”

 

She adds, “Sleep deprivation has been found to reduce the sensitivity of receptors and communication between brain regions, ultimately changing the makeup of the brain.”

 

People living with chronic health issues may also benefit from getting more sleep when they can – especially during periods of heightened fatigue or stress.

 

This could also apply to new parents, who should seize any opportunity to catch up on lost sleep throughout the week.

 

“Different chronic health issues can impact your rest in different ways,” Schnorbach elaborates. “If you’re frequently finding mornings very difficult, are regularly tired during the day, or have any other concerns around your sleep, I would recommend speaking with your doctor.”

 

However, it’s not all about catching as many Zs as possible. Schnorbach warns that oversleeping can also have negative effects.

 

“Although lie-ins can be beneficial, it’s important to watch exactly how much sleep you are getting,” she advises.

 

“If you are sleeping more than nine hours per night, this could be detrimental, as oversleeping is associated with many health problems and can affect concentration and mood.”

 

She also notes that irregular sleeping patterns can disrupt your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

 

“If you sleep in late, this disrupts your natural sleep cycle and is likely to mean you will have trouble falling asleep if you go to bed at the same time, as usual, that night,” explains Dr Deborah Lee, a sleep expert working with Get Laid Beds.

 

“Sleeping in can throw off your body’s internal clock, leading to difficulties falling asleep at night.”

 

Erratic sleep patterns can also wreak havoc on overall health, contributing to anxiety and other health issues.

 

“Why is consistency important for sleep? Catching up on lost sleep at the weekend may help you feel rejuvenated in the short term – and as the new heart disease study suggests, could benefit your long-term health when you are sleep deprived during the week.

 

But ideally, if possible, many sleep experts believe sticking to a regular sleep routine is helpful overall.”

 

One of the best things you can do for your sleep is keep a regular sleep schedule – even on the weekends,” recommends Schnorbach.

 

“By sticking to a routine, your body will learn when sleep is due and prepare itself accordingly by producing the hormones that aid your sleep.”

 

Lee adds: “Ideally, we should all be trying to sleep well and get seven hours of good quality sleep every night.

 

It’s far better to work on your everyday sleep regime, than to ignore the need for sleep during the week, and only face up to it on the weekends.”