After a grueling workweek, weekends offer a much-needed chance to unwind—whether binge-watching Netflix in cozy pajamas, catching up with friends, or simply sleeping in. New research backs this instinct: for those under 65, skimping on weekend sleep (under five hours nightly) significantly raises the risk of premature death.
Published in the Journal of Sleep Research, this study analyzed data from over 30,000 participants tracked for 13 years. Researchers found that mortality risk is elevated for those sleeping fewer than five hours or more than nine hours per night, compared to the optimal six-to-seven hours during weekdays.
The analysis adjusted for key factors including gender, education level, BMI, serious illnesses, sleep aid use, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, caffeine consumption, and employment status. Lead researcher Torbjörn Åkerstedt, a neuroscience professor at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, notes these findings align with prior studies on sleep duration and mortality—but this is the first to spotlight weekends.
The authors conclude: "The results indicate that short weekday nights do not represent a risk factor for mortality if combined with medium or long weekend sleep." They add, "This suggests that short nights on weekdays can be compensated for on weekends, with implications for mortality." Rest easy—this science supports prioritizing weekend recovery.
