Getting more sleep on weekends may help protect the mental health of 16- to 24-year-olds, according to research from the University of Oregon and State University of New York Upstate Medical University.
Recent research suggests this habit is associated with a lower risk of depression. The study found that individuals who adjusted their sleep schedules for the weekend had a 41 percent lower risk of depressive symptoms than those who didn't catch up on sleep.
The findings, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, showed that 16- to 24-year-olds who switched to weekend sleep had a lower risk of depressive symptoms.
As reported by Science Daily, researchers noted that many teenagers experience sleep deprivation during school days due to academic demands, social activities, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs.
“Teenagers are recommended to get eight to 10 hours of sleep each night, but that goal is often difficult to achieve,” says psychologist Melynda Casement of the University of Oregon.
According to him, sleeping longer on weekends can help reduce the risk of depressive symptoms when sleep needs are not met on school days.
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