Researchers are advising caution about napping during certain hours due to a potential increased risk of mortality, based on recent findings.
Typically, getting eight hours of sleep per night is recommended for maintaining good health.
Quality sleep is crucial for both physical and mental well-being, as it allows our bodies and minds to repair and rejuvenate.
Sleep also plays a critical role in enhancing cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and decision-making, as well as in regulating hormones and supporting the immune system.
Despite these benefits, experts are now cautioning that afternoon naps could pose risks, as frequent daytime napping has been linked to higher mortality rates.
A recent study conducted by the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston examined data from nearly 90,000 adults, uncovering a significant connection between frequent napping and deteriorating health.
Chenlu Gao, the study’s lead researcher, explained to Medscape Medical News, “Our findings suggest that certain patterns of napping could serve as early indicators of declining health.”
Gao elaborated, “Longer or more irregular naps may reflect poor nighttime sleep, circadian rhythm disruption, or underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression, or early neurodegenerative changes.”
This is because those who frequently take long naps tend to exhibit issues with body weight, such as a larger waist size, higher blood pressure, and an elevated body mass index, which are associated with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, according to another 2023 study published in the Obesity Society’s journal.
Frequent nappers are also more likely to have irregular eating and sleeping patterns, smoke cigarettes, and consume larger lunches.
Another 2022 study indicated that people who nap more frequently have a heightened risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure and stroke.
As for specific times, naps taken between 11.00am and 3.00pm are identified as potentially risky, although this may vary depending on the duration of the nap.
The researchers emphasized, “These findings highlight the potential importance of considering napping behaviors in risk stratification of mortality in middle- to older-aged adults.”
However, there is promising news for those who indulge in brief naps, as the research indicates that naps lasting less than 30 minutes do not appear to increase the risk of obesity or other metabolic issues.
According to the American Sleep Association, short naps of 15 to 30 minutes during the day can boost energy levels, but should not replace the need for quality nighttime sleep.
Gao noted some limitations of the study, such as participants with serious underlying health conditions that could affect sleep patterns.
The expert also cautioned that the discovered link is associative and not necessarily indicative of a cause-and-effect relationship.