Weekend sleeping in may harm sleep patterns, study and doctor say

A large analysis linked getting at least seven hours of sleep and keeping bedtimes within a one-hour window to a reported increase in life expectancy, and sleep experts in the article say sleeping in on weekends can cause social jet lag and ongoing fatigue.

New coverage looks at weekend sleeping in alongside recent research that links sleep timing to longevity. The article describes a large analysis and quotes sleep experts about the effects of weekend schedule shifts. It focuses on the idea that timing of sleep, not just duration, may matter for overall sleep health. The piece also relays practical observations from clinicians on naps and morning wakefulness. Key points: - Researchers associated with Vitality and the London School of Economics analyzed sleep data from over 47 million people and described a "7:1 sleep rule." - The 7:1 rule is reported as linking at least seven hours of sleep and bedtimes within a one-hour window to a 24% increase in life expectancy. - The article reports that roughly 10% of people follow this sleep pattern. - Quoted sleep experts say sleeping in on weekends can create "social jet lag," disrupting the body clock and contributing to ongoing fatigue and groggy mornings. - Experts in the article note that long weekend sleep can mask weekday sleep deprivation and that short naps (around 20–40 minutes) are sometimes recommended. Summary: The reported research and expert comments highlight a connection between consistent sleep timing and longer reported life expectancy, while describing how late weekend wake-ups can shift the body's sleep-wake cycle and perpetuate fatigue. Researchers and clinicians quoted in the article emphasize consistent bedtimes and wake times, and the degree of public adoption of those practices is undetermined at this time.