Is it really possible to "catch up" on sleep?

Question

My mom always wanted me to sleep in after a busy week, in order for me to catch up on my sleep. But recently, I've heard that it doesn't really help and just means that you're sleeping in.

Answer 1

i heard that you actually sleep from 11:00 p.m. till 4:00 a.m. so anywhere after 4 or before 11 doesnt count as sleep but im not sure,

Answer 2

It's best to try to keep your sleep schedule the way it always has been.  If you sleep to much you'll just become lethargic for a day or two :P

Answer 3

over sleeping doesnt do much. just get like 10 hours at the most when ever you can

Answer 4

Yeah...?

Go to bed late one night, but wake up early the next morning,

then the following night, you'll be able to go to sleep  early, so you can wake up at a normal time.

Answer 5

Not really.

The requirement for sleep is different in everybody but the recommended nightly sleep is 8 hours.  If you had 6 every week night, you accrue what is known as sleep-debt (in this example 10 hours).  You can reduce that debt by sleeping for longer for the following nights but cannot sleep for 18 hours on the weekend and expect to offset it all.  The only way to get the sleep you 'need' is to go to bed when you are tired and allow your body to wake you up the next day.  This is fine for weekends but not practical for most people in the week.

In short, yes you can catch up sleep but not completely and not in one night.

Answer 6

Not really lol

Answer 7

You can't really "Catch Up" on your sleep.  

Answer 8

no, i cought up on sleep today

Answer 9

no you can't catch up but you will feel better.

www.med-i-card.com

Answer 10

no because you already lost that sleep and you cant really replace it with more sleep

Answer 11

I think once sleep time has been missed (late night, early rising, etc), it's gone forever. The re-charging of those batteries has been missed. The only thing we can do is try to get back on track.

But what do I know?