Imagine your body as a car driving on an empty tank Sunday morning after a long week. If you think you can just rest over the weekend and fill up the tank, think again! A recent study from Penn State shows that when we don’t get enough sleep during the week, our cardiovascular health suffers. Heart rate and blood pressure gradually deteriorate when we only get five hours of sleep per night. Hoping to make up for it by sleeping longer on weekends? Sorry, but that won’t do the trick! The study found that trying to catch up on missed sleep over the weekend doesn’t restore our heart rate and blood pressure to normal levels. So, instead of bouncing back like a rubber ball, our bodies continue to pay the price of sleep deprivation.
To put it simply, imagine a phone battery. If you use the phone heavily without charging it during the week, plugging it in for a while on the weekend won’t give it full power. Our bodies work similarly, and we need consistent sleep to keep our cardiovascular system in tiptop shape.
If you’re concerned about your heart health, it’s important not to rely on weekend snoozes as a way to catch up on lost sleep. Take this opportunity to explore the research and find ways to prioritize getting enough restful sleep every night!
Whether it’s work or play that prevents us from getting enough shut-eye during the week, assuming we can make up for it by sleeping in over the weekend is a mistake. New research led by Penn State reveals that cardiovascular health measures, including heart rate and blood pressure, worsen over the course of the week when sleep is restricted to five hours per night, and attempting to catch up on sleep over the weekend is insufficient to return these measures to normal.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.