lundi 9 mai 2016
A Definitive Answer to Whether You Can "Make Up" Sleep
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: sleep is not an option. It shouldn't be something you pick and choose, like whether to get extra toppings on a pizza - sleep is the bread itself beneath the cheese and sauce. It's the nuts and bolts that hold us together and help us function as working members of society. One Quora user asked whether it's possible for him or her to catch up on poor sleep over the weekend. Wellness guru Arianna Huffington took the liberty of responding, and you might be able to guess what her unequivocal answer was:
No, unless you have a genetic mutation that allows you to function on less than the recommended amount of sleep. You either have the mutation or you don't, so it's not something you can develop over time or something you magically acquire because of your dedication to your job.
There is a universal, scientific consensus that seven to eight hours of sleep is necessary for optimal health. Lack of sleep over time can lead to an irreversible loss of brain cells, debunking the myth that sleep debt can be made up.
While chronic poor sleep can have long-lasting effects on our health, naps can help mitigate some of those effects, at least in the short-term. According to a study by the Sorbonne University in Paris, short naps were found to lower stress and boost the immune system. "Our data suggests a 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep," said one study coauthor, Brice Faraut. "This is the first study that found napping could restore biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels." Short of time travel, a next-day nap may be the closest we can get to a second chance at a good night's sleep.
User Robert Locke, who has studied and written about sleep disorders, backs up Arianna's sentiments. In the thread, he lists all the negative consequences a lack of sleep can have on your health, including mood swings, a weakened immune system, poor attention span and focus, and increased food cravings. User Mithiran Nambiar confirms this in a comical metaphor: "Of course not . . . it's like skipping a meal or two and then devouring everything that you missed in the next meal. You will be hungry like hell but you can't definitely consume everything that you see! Sleep is just like that."
There you have it, folks. You can't technically make up sleep. If you have trouble getting those zzz's, check out our tips for sleeping better. And while you're at it, why not take the seven-night sleeping challenge? Happy resting!
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