Snooze Worthy

When life gets busy and it's difficult to get the rest we need, many of us look forward to the weekend as a chance to "catch up" on our sleep. But as refreshing as it is to sleep late or take a nap, is it really possible to "catch up"? 

Nappers, take heart: Researchers presented evidence at the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress this past Sunday that the answer is YES. In fact, catching up on your sleep over the weekend can result in a surprising 19% lower risk of developing heart disease.

The research, led by the National Center for Cardiovascular Disease at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, gathered data from 90,903 participants in the United Kingdom after following the health outcomes of more than 500,000 people between the ages of 40 and 69.

The study divided participants into four groups based on how much they compensated for lost sleep on weekends. The group that caught up the most sleep on weekends, logging up to 16 more hours than on weekdays, showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular risks -- including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Data was collected using activity-monitoring watches, and groups were followed over a period of more than 14 years. According to researchers, gender did not have an impact on the results.

While the study has its limitations -- focusing exclusively on a population in the United Kingdom, for example -- the findings are notable for those who are chronically sleep-deprived. Sufficient sleep is also related to healthier blood glucose and blood pressure levels, better dietary choices and a lower risk for obesity, and better psychological health, according to Dr. Nour Makarem, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. "Sleep is restorative and a key component of heart health preservation."

The Bible frequently references rest and restoration as a means of drawing closer to the Lord, and these scientific connections between rest, heart, and health are decidedly biblical:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -- Matthew 14:28

So when this weekend arrives, turn off those morning alarms and snuggle in. Your heart will thank you!