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Ear to the Ground

That Weekend Rest Isn’t Helping

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Posted on Jan 13, 2010
Flickr / jwillier2 (CC-BY-ND)

Our culture tends to reward multitasking, sleep-deprived go-getters, but a new study confirms that catching up on sleep over the weekend just doesn’t work. After weeks of less than seven to nine hours a night, “banking” a long stretch on your days off isn’t going to repair your memory, immune system or ability to drive a car.

As The Associated Press explains: “The well-rested can catch up from the occasional all-nighter fairly easily. But as the study wore on and the volunteers became more sleep-deprived, the rejuvenation they felt each time they awoke increasingly proved a facade, [Dr. Daniel] Cohen reported Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine.”

OK, we get it. Human beings need loads of sleep. So how are we supposed to square that with the research that says our sedentary lifestyles are killing us?

Should we sleep half the day, then—if we have a white-collar job—spend our on-the-job hours working from a treadmill? Come on, science. This isn’t helping us live better—it’s just a guilt trip.  —PZS

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By William Palazzo, January 14, 2010 at 9:59 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The only helpful article on sleep I’ve read (in the dentist’s office) in a men’s magazine was that the R.E.M. cycle runs 90 minutes, so you can plan your sleep around 90 minute cycles when possible. In other words, sleep for 3 hours, 4 and a half, 6 hours, 7 and a half, etc. This article reminded me to research the sleep cycle idea further.
p.s. Truth Dig is a great publication.

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Hulk2008's avatar

By Hulk2008, January 14, 2010 at 7:13 am Link to this comment

Sleep requirements are VERY individualistic and have a great deal to do with the quality of sleep itself.  Some people do get along well with less while others need more.
  Any parent of a teenager can attest to the fact that earthquakes and high explosives can barely interrupt a teen’s 12+ hour “nap”.

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Russian Paul's avatar

By Russian Paul, January 13, 2010 at 9:22 pm Link to this comment

Uh. Sleeping more than 8 hours is actually unhealthy. An average of 6:30-7:30 is
ideal.

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By sook81, January 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm Link to this comment

Yeah, no kidding. Give me a 28-hr. day, and I’ll get the sleep they tell me
to…

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