If you've been struggling with sleep deprivation throughout your work week, then don't feel bad about sleeping in this weekend – a new study says that it'll make you live longer.

Researchers at Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute – which is Sweden's most acclaimed medical university – have published a new study that links sleeping in on the weekend to living a regular lifespan.

The study followed the sleep habits of 43,880 subjects over the course of 13 years. The findings showed that people who slept for short amounts of time during the week and the weekend had a 52% increased rate of mortality.

However, people who slept for short amounts of time during the week, but compensated for it by sleeping in on the weekends, displayed normal rates of mortality.

Additionally, the sleep deprivation did not affect subjects who were over 65 years old – which means that thousands of middle-aged adults are being negatively affected by lack of sleep.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Sleep Research, directly reenforces why people of all ages should aim to periodically get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep during the week, even if they are sleeping less during the other nights.

If you are having trouble sleeping, then this other study suggests that you go camping for a weekend in order to reset your body's natural sleep cycle; or you can simply put on Baa Baa Land, the "world's most boring film".

So when Saturday morning rolls around, go ahead and turn off your alarm clock – it's for your own good.

Don't Snooze On This Story: Share It With Your Sleep-Deprived Friends – Photo by Tony Alter, CC