Is it OK to sleep 11 hours on weekends and 5–6 on weekdays? – Damon Our bodies (and minds) need a certain amount of sleep each night to be at their best. Although you might feel great on Monday after a weekend sleepfest, all that shuteye won't help your performance the rest of the week. Here's why: Our bodies can only catch up on sleep. They can't store extra sleep to help us function in the days ahead. If you sleep a lot over the weekend but go back to skimping on Monday night, you won't be at your best on Tuesday. You may not notice you're tired, but you won't be operating at your peak. And if you continue this pattern all week, your body will be seriously dragging by Friday. How will this affect you? Sleep fuels our daily activities, whether it's doing well on tests, competing in sports, mastering skateboard tricks, concentrating while driving, or handling stressful situations. That's why experts recommend that teens get 8–10 hours of sleep a night. Sticking to a similar sleep schedule during the week and the weekend can help you fall asleep at night and have enough energy during the day. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles How Much Sleep Do I Need? Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. But you might not be getting it. Here's why - and tips for getting more shut-eye. Read More 5 Ideas for Better Sleep Insomnia can be a big problem for teens. Read our tips on getting a good night's sleep. Read More What Should I Do If I Can't Sleep? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Common Sleep Problems Sleep problems can keep some teens awake at night even when they want to sleep. If that sounds like you, find out what you can do. Read More Does the Light From a Phone or Computer Make it Hard to Sleep? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.