A new study reveals that weekend habits like staying up late, drinking alcohol, and smoking more can significantly worsen sleep apnea—a condition already affecting roughly one billion people worldwide. Australian researchers from Flinders University have coined a new term, “social sleep apnea,” to describe the spike in sleep apnea episodes specifically linked to weekend behaviors.

Published in The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the study analyzed data from over 70,000 individuals globally. The results showed that sleep apnea severity increased notably during weekends compared to weekdays, highlighting a previously underestimated public health issue.

Understanding Social Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the airways repeatedly collapse during sleep, leading to disrupted rest and increased health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, depression, and even premature death. According to Dr. Lucía Pinilla, the lead researcher, traditional sleep studies often miss weekend spikes because patients are usually monitored for just one night, typically during a weekday.

Weekend Risks

The study found that participants had an 18% higher chance of moderate to severe sleep apnea over the weekend. Even small changes, like sleeping 45 minutes longer in the morning, increased the risk of severe episodes by 47%. Men were more affected than women, and younger adults under 60 were particularly vulnerable.

Professor Danny Eckert, co-author of the study, noted that while the exact causes are unclear, alcohol, insufficient sleep, and irregular use of prescribed sleep apnea therapies likely contribute to the weekend spike.

Seasonal Patterns and Long-Term Implications

Additional research from Flinders University suggests that sleep apnea severity also fluctuates seasonally, worsening in summer and winter. Hotter temperatures can disrupt sleep, while longer winter sleep increases REM cycles, which are linked to more frequent apnea episodes.

Recommendations for Healthier Sleep

Experts recommend maintaining a consistent sleep schedule throughout the week, including weekends. Aim for 7–9 hours per night, wake up at the same time daily, follow prescribed treatments consistently, and go to bed when naturally tired. These steps may help mitigate the effects of social sleep apnea and reduce associated health risks.