Let's admit that one of the reasons why most of us look forward to the weekend is, of course, sleeping longer, waking up late, in short, getting enough good and quality sleep. In fact, this extra sleep improves your heart health, according to a study presented by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) at the ESC Congress 2024. Examining data on more than 90,000 individuals, including there were also those who prioritized sleeping on the weekend showed that sleep reduces the development of heart diseases by 20%.
"If this study also includes individuals who get insufficient sleep during weekdays and weekends, this could be an explanation for these results. So when you restrict sleep, you increase your chances of getting various heart diseases,” says doctor Rebecca Robins.
Why do we need enough sleep?
Sleep gives our brain and body a chance to repair functions overnight. When we avoid or limit these actions, our body slowly fails to function effectively. "The best health outcomes are seen in individuals who can get enough sleep," Dr. Robbins explains. On average, experts recommend an ideal sleep of seven to nine hours for adults, while children and teenagers need about eight to 12 hours.
How to sleep better?
The best way to improve your sleep quality is to start slowly. "Go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until you get a full 7 to 9 hours of sleep," suggests Robbins. Once you start hitting these sleep goals, follow a relaxation routine that can help you wind down like lighting a candle, drinking some tea, writing a note, etc. When it's time to go to bed, make sure the room is dark enough by using thick curtains or wearing an eye mask.
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