A recent study suggests that extra weekend sleep might contribute to premature aging. Published in a medical journal, the research found that adults who sleep significantly longer on weekends than weekdays tend to have shorter telomeres—protective structures on chromosomes linked to biological aging.
Researchers analyzed data from 6,052 adults in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2014, revealing a stark difference: those who averaged 7.5 hours of sleep on weekdays but stretched to 9.5 hours on weekends had telomeres that were 40% shorter than individuals who consistently slept 7.5 hours each night.
The study attributes this effect to disruptions in the circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Weekend oversleeping can throw off the body’s internal clock, leading to potential health risks. Previous research has associated irregular sleep patterns with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression.
To reduce the risks tied to erratic sleep habits, researchers recommend maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, limiting exposure to bright light, and minimizing electronic device use before bed. While a regular sleep pattern can be challenging for people with young children, variable work hours, or early commitments, strategies like setting fixed bedtimes and wake times, avoiding daytime naps, and ensuring a dark, quiet, and cool sleeping environment can help.
