Ever hear of ‘Social Jet Lag’? Because it could be affecting all of us

Do you find yourself trying to balance a late Friday or Saturday night by spending the next morning in bed? 

If so, like many of us you could be suffering from "Social Jet Lag". A term given to new research that suggests staying up longer and sleeping in later could leave you in a jet-lagged state, similar to flying Dublin to New York. According to a study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's journal, staying out and sleeping in can play a significant role on your health causing mood swings, increased fatigue and dizziness. The impact of this irregularity at the weekend can then play havoc with you during the week making you more tired, sluggish and reaching for caffeine, the study adds.

"These results indicate that sleep regularity, beyond sleep duration alone plays a significant role in your health," lead author Sierra B. Forbush told EurekAlert. This suggests that a regular sleep schedule may be an effective, relatively simple and inexpensive preventative treatment for heart disease as well as many other health problems.

In this informative video created by the Huffington Post, they explain exactly how under sleeping during the weekdays and over sleeping at the weekends can leave you with a "maladjusted brain."

The solution? 

Trying to achieve regularity across all seven days. Getting enough sleep is important but having a regular sleeping pattern is vital to maximising your energy and minding your health. Adios lazy Sundays!