While getting extra sleep in weekends was long thought to be useless, a new study points out its benefits in boosting the brain power in the coming working week.
Sleep deprivation is associated with not only a poor performance but also shortened attention span, impaired alertness and reduced reaction time. One full night of sleep is believed to fully restore the burned energy in these individuals.
"Lifestyles that involve chronic sleep restriction during the workweek and during days off work may result in continuing buildup of sleep pressure and in an increased likelihood of loss of alertness and increased errors," said lead researcher David Dinges.
According to the study published in Sleep, individuals who spend more time in bed at the weekend have a better performance during the week.
The recovery, however, totally depends on the time one spends in bed. The additional hour or two of sleep in the morning after a period of chronic partial sleep loss has genuine benefits for continued recovery of behavioral alertness,” said Dinges, adding that the longer one lies in bed, the better he would restore his energy for the following week.
Extra sleep helps replenish the brain and boost energy, alertness and attention span after a week of restricted sleep; scientists therefore urged individuals to avoid staying up all night at the weekend.
"The bottom line is that adequate recovery is important for coping with the effects of chronic sleep restriction on the brain," Dinges added.
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