We’ve all been there – pulling successive all-nighters during the week trying to take care of work, family, and life in general. Come the weekend, we would often look forward to sleeping in, hoping to catch up on all the lost zzz’s.

Unfortunately, that is not how sleep and the human body work. Sleeping in for the weekend may feel nice, but it will not make up for the lack of sleep during the week.

Sleep Deprivation Affects Our Brain and Body

Ideally, adults should get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to ensure their physical and mental health. However, many people find themselves not getting enough sleep during the week due to work, stress, or other factors.

Sleep is critical for the proper functioning of our brain and body. Lack of sleep causes a variety of physical and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, immune system suppression, and memory problems, among others.

Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious health issues and increase the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Thus, it is essential to prioritize good sleep hygiene and aim for quality sleep every night.

You Can’t “Bank” Sleep

Despite what we may believe, oversleeping on the weekends to make up for lost sleep during the week doesn’t quite work. It is nearly impossible to “bank” sleep to use it as a cushion for the days ahead.

We can’t simply accrue hours of sleep like we would accrue funds in a savings account.

The human body follows a circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal body clock that plays an essential role in regulating our bodily functions, including sleep. When we deprive ourselves of sleep during the week, our body’s rhythm gets disrupted.

Although sleeping in on weekends feels satisfying – it doesn’t eradicate the effects of the disruption. In fact, oversleeping on weekends throws our body clock off further, making it harder to fall asleep on Sunday night and resume regular sleep patterns during the week.

Weekend Oversleeping Can Cause Health Problems

While it may be tempting to hit snooze and stay in bed until noon on the weekends, it is not in your best interest for overall health. Oversleeping on weekends can cause a variety of adverse health outcomes, such as:.

Headaches
Fatigue and grogginess throughout the day
Increased risk of heart disease
Increased insulin resistance
Inability to fall asleep on Sunday night

Strategies for Prioritizing Sleep Every Day

Instead of relying on weekend sleep-ins to feel well-rested, it is better to adopt habits that prioritize sleep every day. Here are some strategies to help you get into good sleep hygiene habits:.

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule every day – even on weekends
Limiting caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evenings
Avoiding screens – phones, tablets, or laptops – before bed
Creating a relaxing bedtime routine
Maintaining a comfortable sleep environment, including temperature and lighting

By prioritizing sleep every day, you can help your body get into a proper rhythm that will help you sustainably achieve better rest.

Remember: there is no substitute for sleep, and finding ways to integrate regular, quality sleep into your daily life is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.