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News Topical, Digital Desk : In today's fast-paced lives, lack of sleep has become a common problem. Often, we know that the coming week will be very busy due to office work or other plans, and we will have less time to sleep. In this context, an interesting trend called "sleep banking" is rapidly gaining ground in the United States.
People are adopting this trend to get enough sleep and increase productivity. Let's learn what sleep banking is and whether it can truly benefit you.
What is the concept of sleep banking?
Simply put, sleep banking means stocking up on extra sleep in advance to avoid fatigue on the upcoming busy day. Scientists believe that if you know you'll have less sleep in the future, you can prepare your body by getting extra sleep a few days before.
This concept came to prominence after a study conducted at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the United States. Researcher Tracy Rupp's team studied 24 soldiers. They found that soldiers who got more sleep before busy days had better alertness and ability to focus than those who didn't.
Shocking results of research
To understand this sleep bank, scientists studied several groups:
- Effect on soldiers: In the study, one group was allowed to sleep for 10 hours and the other for 7. Later, when both groups' sleep was drastically reduced, the soldiers who slept for 10 hours were found to be more energetic and mentally alert.
- Doctors and Night Shifts – According to a 2023 study of doctors at a Miami hospital, sleeping 90 minutes extra for three days before a night shift improved their work quality.
- Players' performance: When tennis, basketball, and rugby players slept 9-10 hours a day for a few weeks, their on-field performance increased significantly .
How can you do sleep banking?
According to experts, you don't need to make drastic changes to benefit from sleep banking. If you're worried you'll be getting less sleep in the coming days, consider:
- Start sleeping 30 to 60 minutes more each day a week or two in advance.
- For this, you can either sleep early at night or wake up a little late in the morning.
- Taking a short nap during the day is also beneficial, but keep in mind that it should not be more than 45 minutes.
Why is sleep important?
Neurologist Michael Howell explains that sleep isn't just for rest. The waste that builds up in our bodies and minds throughout the day is cleansed during sleep. When the mind is clear, it's able to learn and remember new things .
Can sleep really be stored?
Although sleep banking is quite a trend, some scientists disagree. They say that excessive sleep accumulation is not possible because if the body is not tired, it cannot be used for more sleep.
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