Since starting his newsletter in January, Arnold Schwarzenegger has tackled multiple fitness and other issues. Arnie has written on various topics, from fitness myths to diet misconceptions and habits negatively affecting the quality of life. However, sleep has also been a focus for the 75-year-old. While most people think sleep is as simple as going to bed after dinner, it’s actually much more complex. In the latest edition of Arnold’s Pump Club, the bodybuilding icon highlighted a sleep-related bad habit with long-term effects.

The discourse around the importance of sleep revolves around how much and how well one sleeps, and what happens when one doesn’t get enough sleep. However, one-third of the U.S. population, or 110,483,094 Americans, suffer from the effect of “sleep debt.” The former Mr. Olympia shines a spotlight on this lesser-known issue.

Sleep debt comes with a massive interest

Arnold Schwarzenegger explained sleep debt builds up when a person regularly gets less than six to seven hours of sleep. However, people don’t pay attention to the issue as they can function with less than six hours of sleep. Many also think they can “catch up on sleep over the weekend.” However, recovering lost sleep is harder than it seems.

“Research suggests that for every one hour of sleep debt, you need at least four straight nights of 7 to 9 hours of sleep to recover fully,” wrote Arnie. Hence sleeping throughout the weekend won’t help. Arnie highlighted that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated, “one-third of Americans are in sleep debt every night, and many don’t mind.”

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However, this mindset could have devastating consequences in the long term. “From cardiovascular disease and obesity to an increased risk of cancer and immune dysfunction,” Arnie wrote in the recent edition of his newsletter. Despite the risk, people who have settled into the habit of sacrificing sleep might find it hard to get back on track. Hence, the seven-time Mr. Olympia also provided a solution.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has a way out of sleep debt

The bodybuilding legend said that after a terrible night’s sleep, a 20 to 30-minute nap might help aid recovery. However, the following night that individual should try getting back to schedule. While this might be hard to follow for those with long-term sleep debt, it’s a start, especially since the “risks are from long-term behaviors.”

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In a previous edition of the newsletter, Arnie suggested another method to help people regain control over their sleep patterns. Schwarzenegger called it the one-hour method. He claimed by adding one hour to their regular sleeping duration can help a person reduce health risks.

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While sleep debt is the latest sleep-related issue Arnold Schwarzenegger highlighted, it seems this won’t be the last time he talks about sleep.