Finally sleeping in over the Easter weekend—is that really a good idea?

Easter is just around the corner—a long weekend when many of us would love to sleep in for once. Sleeping until 11 or 12? Maybe even later? That sounds like pure bliss to some who have to get up at the crack of dawn every day.

But is our body looking forward to it as much as we are?

If we consider that we all have what’s called an internal clock—a fixed schedule for when certain processes take place in our bodies—then the answer is clearly: No!

Our body likes routines. It finds them reliable, and everything can run its usual course. Everything stays in balance. In other words, our biological sleep-wake cycle gets thrown off by changing sleep times. Our system tolerates a flexibility of about 30 minutes.

We especially recommend fixed bedtime and wake-up times for people who suffer from sleep disorders.

It’s best to consider which times also work well for a restful weekend. Are you someone who likes to get up early? Then you might not mind getting up at 7:00 a.m. every day. Since we sleep in 90-minute cycles, it’s recommended in this case to go to sleep around 10:00 p.m. In one cycle, we go through all the necessary sleep phases: the falling-asleep phase, light sleep phase, dream phase, and deep sleep phase. This ensures optimal physical and mental recovery for the body.

However, if you’re a “night owl,” then push your bedtime back to 11:30 p.m. so you stay in the 90-minute rhythm.

Most importantly, however, you should get up at the same time on Sundays and holidays as you do on weekdays. Otherwise, your internal clock will become disrupted, and your nightly rest will be impaired.
If you also have a poorly adjusted or outdated bedding system that no longer suits your current needs, contact a “Kompetenzzentrum Schmerzfrei Schlafen” near you. They’ll be happy to take the time to address your needs.

So, get out of bed—even on Easter! Treat yourself to a hearty, healthy breakfast, enjoy a walk, and delight in the first signs of spring.

If you’re experiencing long-term sleep problems, consult one of our certified posture and sleep therapists. You’ll be in the best of hands. Happy and well-rested Easter holidays!