Want to Live Longer? Sleep In!

According to a new study conducted by the Stress Research Institute and the  Karolinska Institute (both in Stockholm, Sweden), sleeping in on the weekends could help you live a longer (and more restful) life.  Basically, science says that adults under the age of 65 that get 5 or less hours of sleep 7 days a week have a 65% higher mortality rate than those who were getting 6 or 7 hours of sleep during the same amount of time.  Scientists found no increased risk of death for individuals in the study that slept around 5 hours each night during the week, but were able to snag 8 + hours on the weekend.  That means, contrary to popular belief, you can catch up on sleep on the weekends - and you'll probably live longer if you do.

Don't think that more sleep automatically means a longer life - it's not quite that simple.  Individuals that got more than 8 hours of sleep a night, 7 days a week, saw a 25% higher mortality rate than those who slept just 6-7 hours a night.

The big takeaway is this: Make sure to pay off your sleep "debt" on the weekend whenever possible.  You'll most likely live longer, and will definitely feel much better.