Over the Weekend, Increased Sleep Quantity Could Decrease Anxiety in Adolescents
A Fresh Spin:
Title: The Magic Number: How Extra Weekend Sleep Can Help Ease Anxiety in Teens
The latest research, ready to be showcased at SLEEP 2025, reveals an intriguing connection between the amount of sleep teenagers catch up on during weekends and their anxiety levels. Surprisingly, a small amount of weekend snoozing - up to two hours - can help buffer some of the mental health risks from weekday sleep loss.
According to the study conducted by Sojeong Kim, a doctoral candidate at the University of Oregon, those teenagers getting an extra 0 to 2 hours of weekend sleep had significantly less anxiety compared to those who didn't sleep longer on weekends. However, sleeping excessively on weekends was associated with slightly more internalizing symptoms.
"It's all about balance," Kim explained. "Our findings suggest that moderate weekend recovery sleep can be beneficial, while both oversleeping and undersleeping on weekends can lead to higher anxiety levels."
Teens are often seen trying to compensate for weekday sleep loss by sleeping in on weekends. Yet, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, only 23% of high school students manage to get the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep.
Kim emphasizes the importance of identifying the right amount of catch-up sleep that benefits teenagers who may restrict their sleep during the week. "The right amount of weekend sleep isn't one-size-fits-all. Too little or too much sleep variability from weekday to weekend may contribute to the symptoms someone is trying to combat, like physical or mental fatigue and feelings of anxiety."
Consistent, quality sleep is essential for teenagers' overall health and well-being. It improves their attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. Impaired sleep in teenagers is linked to increased risks of problems such as depression and suicidal thoughts.
So, if you're a teen struggling with anxiety, try catching up on some shut-eye on weekends. Just make sure it's not too much or too little!
- The study conducted by Sojeong Kim in the University of Oregon, which will be presented at SLEEP 2025, highlights the connection between weekend sleep and anxiety levels in teenagers.
- Surprisingly, an additional 0 to 2 hours of sleep on weekends can help reduce anxiety levels in teenagers, as suggested by the research.
- However, oversleeping on weekends can lead to internalizing symptoms, offering a reminder of the importance of balance when it comes to sleep.
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that only 23% of high school students succeed in obtaining the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep, leaving many teenagers sleep-deprived during weekdays.
- Consistent, quality sleep is crucial for teenagers' mental and physical health, significantly impacting their attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and overall well-being.
- Impaired sleep in teenagers is linked to increased risks of depression and suicidal thoughts, further emphasizing the significance of addressing sleep issues within this age group.
