Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health. This includes the amount of time you spend sleeping. According to Bustle, you should get at least seven hours of sleep every night. But what about on the weekends? While it might be tempting to sleep in on a Saturday or Sunday morning, experts advise against it. When it comes to sleep, consistency is key.
“Our sleep is closely tied to our circadian rhythm. When we change our sleep and wake time, we alter our circadian cycle,” Dr. Robert Oexman, the director of the Sleep to Live Institute, told Bustle. “We experience this when we stay up later on the weekends and sleep in later in the morning. Most people find it difficult to fall asleep at bedtime on Sunday night and will often find it more difficult to wake up on Monday.” That’s why it’s important to stick to a consistent sleep schedule every day of the week.
Are there any exceptions?
As it turns out, however, there might be a slight exception to this sleep rule. According to experts at Mindbodygreen, going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day can greatly impact your health. In fact, maintaining a consistent routine can potentially improve your digestion, immune function, and even your quality of sleep. You can occasionally bend this rule, however, if you stay up too late and don’t get enough sleep.
“You never want to get less than five hours of sleep. Period. End of story,” Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, told Mindbodygreen. That’s because five hours of sleep is not enough rest to fully recharge your body. You’ll most likely still be tired, which can slow down your reaction time. This can be quite dangerous if you’re driving a car or operating heavy machinery. That’s why it’s okay to sleep in an extra couple of hours. Other than that, however, you should stick to a consistent schedule and avoid sleeping in on the weekends.
