Home LivingWellnessSleepHaving a lie-in could be damaging your sleep and health, says sleep expertLoving sleeping in on the weekend? Experts suggest it could do more harm than goodWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepHaving a lie-in could be damaging your sleep and health, says sleep expertLoving sleeping in on the weekend? Experts suggest it could do more harm than goodWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Loving sleeping in on the weekend? Experts suggest it could do more harm than good
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: iam_os / Unsplash)
(Image credit: iam_os / Unsplash)
After a long work week, it’s extremely tempting to sleep in for an extra few minutes (or hours!) on the weekend. But according to a sleep expert, having a lie-in could be damaging to your health.
I’ve been covering sleep and wellness on T3 for a couple of years now, and while I know the benefits of havinggood sleep hygiene, I’m often guilty of trying to catch more ZZZ’s on Saturday and Sunday. But despite how cosy yourbest mattressis, sleeping isn’t as good for you as you might have initially thought.
To find out more, I spoke to Max Kristen, sleep expert atPanda London, who explained four reasons why you shouldn’t have a lie-in and how to enjoy sleeping in without negatively affecting your sleep and health.
4 reasons why you shouldn’t have a lie-in
Disrupted sleep patterns
(Image credit: Dmitry Ganin / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Dmitry Ganin / Unsplash)
Sluggishness and reduced productivity
Is there such a thing as too much sleep? Yes and it can leave you feeling sluggish and unproductive. Sleeping for longer than normal orbed rottingcan contribute to “cognitive sluggishness and impaired concentration”, according to Kristen. “Regular mental stimulation is important for maintaining cognitive function. Spending excessive time in bed can lead to a decrease in overall productivity” which can make daily tasks and responsibilities more challenging if you delay getting out of bed.”
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Social isolation
“If lying in becomes a frequent habit, it can lead to social isolation,” says Kristen. Oversleeping or lying in bed all day not only leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness but it can also affect your relationships as you could miss our on activities and social engagements.
Physical health issues
While the occasional lie-in can be refreshing, having one too many can lead to physical health issues. Kristen states that “remaining sedentary for extended periods can lead to physical health issues such as stiffness, muscle atrophy, and poor circulation… Lack of physical activity and disrupted sleep patterns may contribute to weight gain over time, as a sedentary lifestyle and irregular sleep can affect metabolism and appetite regulation.” With this, it’s important to listen to what your body needs and try to engage in regular exercise to maintain a healthy body.
In general, Kristen suggests aiming for moderation when it comes to sleeping in on the weekends. If you can’t resist a lie-in, adding just 30 minutes to an hour of extra sleep for a weekend lie-in shouldn’t do too much damage but any longer than that can cause issues.
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