Dear Dr. Rosenberg: I don't get enough sleep during the week. Therefore, I sleep in on weekends. However, come Sunday night, I cannot fall asleep at an earlier time. As a result, I don't get enough sleep, and I am miserable on Monday. Can you explain?
A: Yes. By sleeping in on weekends, you are delaying your normal exposure to sunlight in the morning. As a result, the normal elevation of body temperature triggered by this starts later in the day and is still high as you try to go to sleep. A drop in core body temperature is a very strong signal to fall asleep. I would recommend you ensure at least seven to nine hours of sleep on weekdays and do not sleep in on weekends. Otherwise, you will remain in the same viscous cycle.
Dr. Robert Rosenberg, board-certified sleep medicine specialist and author of Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every Day, will answer readers' questions by incorporating them in future columns. Contact him through the form at or via mail at the Sleep Disorders Center of Prescott Valley, 3259 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.
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