It’s enough to make anyone curl up under the duvet that bit longer.
Scientists say a Sunday morning lie-in is good for your health – and could even make you happier.
People who spend up to two hours longer in bed at the weekend may halve their risk of depression, a study has found.
The extra snoozing has particular benefits for men and those aged between 40 and 60, who may not get enough sleep during the week as they balance work and family life, which has been linked to low mood, poor concentration, weight gain, a weakened immune system and even a reduced life span.
Surveys suggest only about half of adults spend more time in bed at weekends. But the researchers believe two extra hours may be enough to offer ‘some protective effect’ against depression, while also easing stress and regulating the body’s hormones.
Some studies have found better sleep can cut the risk of strokes and heart disease by 20 per cent.
A new study has found that Sunday lie-ins may help to halve the risk of depression (file photo)
The research found that spending up to hours longer in bed at the weekends may have a ‘some protective effect’ against stress (file photo)
The latest study, by researchers at Chengdu University in China and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, analysed 327,000 men and women.
One extra hour in bed on Sundays was linked with a 30 per cent lower risk of depression, increasing to 62 per cent for between one and two hours. But there was no benefit from staying in bed beyond an extra two hours.
One theory is that a lie-in increases the amount of rapid eye movement – or REM – sleep, when the body carries out cellular repairs. As the effect was greater in men, experts said it may boost testosterone, which could protect against depression.
