#89 - Does Catch-up Sleep Work?

This monologue podcast explores the effectiveness of weekend catch-up sleep in offsetting weekday sleep deprivation. The host presents a study showing that while weekend sleep can partially recover cardiovascular health risks, it fails to fully reverse other negative impacts like impaired deep sleep, disrupted circadian rhythms, increased appetite, and poor blood sugar regulation. A second study, focusing on heart disease risk, showed a 19% reduction in risk for those with the most compensatory weekend sleep. However, the host emphasizes that consistent, sufficient sleep throughout the week remains crucial for overall health, as weekend catch-up sleep only addresses some health aspects partially. The podcast concludes by urging listeners to prioritize consistent sleep rather than relying solely on weekend recovery.