Sleep is very essential to the human body, but sleep deprivation or lack of sleep cannot seem to be avoided. This can often lead to serious health problems and can affect one's memory and learning. Most people try to catch up their sleep during the weekends. But, is this method effective?

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Sleep deprivation may result in physical or mental fatigue which greatly can affect a person's performance in school, or in the workplace.

A study about the effects of weekend recovery sleep after a week of sleep deprivation was conducted by researchers at Penn State University of Medicine. According to their findings, extended recovery sleep over the weekend reverses the impact of one work week of mild sleep restriction on daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and IL-6 levels, reduces cortisol levels, but does not correct performance deficits.

According to an article entitled "Can You Ever REALLY Catch-up on Sleep?" written by Michael Breus Ph..D., recovery sleep can only be a useful short-term or occasional strategy. But the best sleep strategy is to avoid sleep deprivation on a regular basis.

It is advisable to practice good sleep habits to help lessen sleep deprivation as well as other sleep problems. Always remember that prevention is the best cure. Some helpful suggestions to get a good night rest are: wearing dark glasses before sleeping, keeping the same bedtime schedule, and removing all light and noise from one's bedroom.

According to the Daily Mail, there are scientifically proven tips to improve your shut-eye time and prevent sleep deprivation. They range from rituals to exercises that you can follow every day, without the need to use sleeping pills.