Scientific research reported by BBC Future indicates that long sleep on weekends can help compensate for the lack of nighttime rest during the upcoming workweek.
A sleep duration of about 10 hours on weekends can create a reserve of energy in case full sleep is not achieved during the weekdays. This allows the body to "store up" sleep hours for use in difficult moments.
During sleep, the brain clears its data and replenishes glycogen stores—its key source of energy. The longer the sleep lasts, the more effectively this process occurs, which ultimately enhances brain productivity after waking up.
The article notes that the "sleep bank" functions because the brain has more time to remove the waste products of neuron activity.
Research shows that soldiers allowed to sleep for 10 hours demonstrated high efficiency even when sleep was restricted to 3 hours, while maintaining alertness and quick reaction. This was confirmed in a study dedicated to the concept of "sleep banking."
Similar results were found among doctors working night shifts, according to data from a hospital in Miami, as well as among athletes, as reported by specialists from the University of Bologna.
This method can be useful before any periods when sleep deprivation is expected, whether due to demanding work schedules or long flights. However, regular sleep deprivation will not allow for the accumulation of sleep hours for the future and will not compensate for previous lack of rest.
