It’s finally Friday and it has been a long week. You tell yourself that you are going to sleep in late to catch up on some necessary sleep. This is common for many people. The weekend is the time for rest.

Sometimes you’ll be shocked to see that your body doesn’t allow you to do that. This misaligned pattern could do more harm than good to your body but there are different things to consider.

Why You Have Trouble Sleeping In

For starters, the phrase sleeping in means waking up at a later time than you usually do. For instance, people who get up early in the morning on weekdays for work or school will sometimes like to wake up later on the weekend.

Unfortunately, your body doesn’t always agree with your wants. You find yourself waking up early, even on a day that you don’t have to. There could be several reasons why you are having trouble sleeping in but these are the ones you should look at first.

Sleep patterns

The most common reason is that it goes against your sleep pattern. Your sleep pattern is created by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. When your body gets familiar with this routine, it creates a sleep pattern.

Going against your sleep pattern for things like a weekend rest can sometimes do more harm than good. While it can be enjoyable in the beginning, it can leave you feeling tired and groggy when it’s time to go back to your weekday routine.

Age

Besides your body’s sleep pattern, age can also be a reason why you are not able to sleep in. Babies need at least 17 hours of sleep a day. As you get older, this number decreases. Sometimes, it’s difficult to continue sleeping when your body just doesn’t need it anymore.

If this is the case, you must listen to and understand your body. When it is time to sleep, your body will prompt you to prepare for rest.

How to Stop Sleeping in Late

For some people, sleeping in late is the norm. Your late sleeping habits can be a sign of many different things. Some people find themselves getting poor-quality sleep because they are most likely going to bed at a later time.

Here’s what you can do:

• Avoid screens late at night. Cell phones, TVs, and computers all have a blue light. Too much blue light can decrease the production of melatonin in your body. This causes you not to fall asleep.
• Create a sleep schedule. This is important for not only receiving quality sleep but your overall health. Creating a sleep schedule or pattern can lower the risk of heart problems, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day will help you to avoid unnecessarily sleeping in.
• Try relaxation practices. Adding relaxation practices like meditation can help you fall asleep easier at night. It can also help you wind down so that your body knows it’s time to rest.