The weekend may seem like the perfect time to catch up on sleep, but new research shows that those extra ZZZs might be detrimental to your health.

According to a 2023 study at King's College London, it appears that sleeping in doesn't boost your wellbeing in the way you think it might. 

Also known as "social jet lag," the study revealed that every extra hour of sleep disrupts your biological rhythm and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Similarly, another study found that those who slept in on the weekends had elevated inflammatory markers and a less efficient gut microbiome.

It's also important to remember that our internal clock is closely linked to nature's rhythm. By sleeping past our alarms, we miss out on natural morning light that's essential for synchronizing our bodies with our circadian rhythm. This lack of light can effectively destabilize our overall wellbeing.

So, should sleeping in be a thing of the past? "It's acceptable on occasion, but not excessively," says sophrologist Caroline Rome. If you're feeling sleepy in the afternoon, she recommends taking a nap between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to recharge your battery without disrupting your nighttime sleep cycle. 

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