It turns out that how regular our sleep is has a greater impact on how long we live and whether we die of cancer or not than sleep duration itself.
It’s worth taking a look at the latest research on this topic. I recommend it.
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/47/1/zsad253/7280269?login=false
Jarek, really interesting material. We usually focus mainly on the number of hours slept, but it turns out that just as important – and perhaps even more important – are consistent bedtimes and wake‑up times.
So the key takeaway from the study is this: in practice, it’s worth keeping a similar sleep schedule on weekends too, aiming for about 7–9 hours of sleep, getting daylight exposure in the morning, and in the evening limiting screens, caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals. Regular physical activity also helps, as does a dark, quiet and cool bedroom.
We should remember, though, that the study showed a correlation, not a direct causal link. Even so, a regular daily and sleep rhythm seems like a sensible and relatively simple way to support your health.