Here's how to catch up on sleep, the right way
This article explores the physiological effects of 'catching up' on sleep during the weekend. It explains how irregular sleep patterns can disrupt the body's internal clock and sleep homeostat.
Why it matters
Understanding sleep hygiene is critical for public health, as chronic sleep deprivation and inconsistent recovery patterns are linked to long-term health issues.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Amanda Ruggeri BBC Serenity Strull/ Getty Images A woman asleep on a giant pillow, surrounded by a blue night sky () Just two hours of extra sleep can help reverse the damage from a bad night. But early nights and lie-ins should be wielded with caution.
We've all been there: waking up, bleary-eyed after a bad night, feeling exhausted. "It's fine," we tell ourselves. "I'll catch up at the weekend."
For some of us, this experience is a one-off. For others, it's a way of life. One survey of nearly 8,000 US adults found that nearly half regularly slept in on the weekends . Perhaps unsurprisingly, teenagers seem to have the biggest weekend lie-ins of any age group.
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