Are Afternoon Naps Good For Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Studies show that an afternoon nap is great for adults, too . There’s no need to feel lazy for indulging in daytime sleep. A short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress. Cozy up to these nap benefits.

Is it good to sleep everyday in afternoon?

In a recent study, researchers say napping two or three times a week might be good for your heart health. Experts say daily napping may be a sign of inadequate nighttime sleep or an underlying health problem . One expert says naps should be shorter than 30 minutes or longer than 90 minutes.

Why is napping in the afternoon bad?

Naps exceeding half an hour during the day could possibly lead to serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome . A study published in April 2016 found that naps lasting more than 60 minutes a day increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 50 percent.

What are the disadvantages of sleeping in afternoon?

  • Napping Isn’t For Everyone.
  • Sleep Inertia.
  • Naps Do Not Increase Alertness.
  • Can Lead To Serious Health Issues.
  • Can Potentially Lower Life Expectancy.
  • Healthy Ways Of Napping [4]

What is a good nap length for adults?

Set an alarm: Studies show that the best nap length for most people is about 10-20 minutes . This provides restorative sleep without drowsiness after waking. If you want to feel alert and productive after your nap, you can counter sleep inertia by limiting the amount of time you spend asleep.

Is a 1 hour nap too long?

Naps should be relatively short for adults, something that can help keep you energized without interrupting your circadian rhythm. “ You’ll probably want to nap for less than an hour ,” Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer says. “If you can power nap for 15 or 20 minutes, all the better.”

How long should an afternoon nap be?

Keep naps short.

Aim to nap for only 10 to 20 minutes . The longer you nap, the more likely you are to feel groggy afterward. However, young adults might be able to tolerate longer naps.

Is it good to nap after lunch?

Nap after lunch.

In general, the best time to power nap is right after lunch . Often referred to as a siesta, a post-lunch nap takes advantage of your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle, which is typically in a sleep phase around 1 pm.

Does sleeping in afternoon increase weight?

Also sleeping in the afternoon helps. It is beneficial for mental and physical health. There is a myth that afternoon naps cause weight gain but this does not hold true .

Is a 90 minute nap too long?

A short nap of 10-20 minutes is precisely enough shut-eye to reap the many restorative benefits of napping. 30 minutes could make you feel too groggy once you’re awake. A 90-minute nap is considered best for a longer option .

Do daytime naps improve memory?

Napping for a Better Brain

Scientists found that people who napped for 30 to 90 minutes had better word recall – which is a sign of good memory – than people who did not nap or who napped for longer than 90 minutes .

Is sleeping naked better for your health?

Sleeping naked together might improve your rest by reducing your stress and anxiety levels . Skin-to-skin contact between adults can increase levels of oxytocin, the “love hormone”. That increased oxytocin can help to reduce your stress levels.

Do naps make you more tired?

Naps that exceed 20 minutes can increase sleep inertia, which leaves you feeling groggy and disoriented . This happens when you awake from a deep sleep. If you’re already sleep-deprived, the symptoms of sleep inertia tend to be more severe and last longer.

What time should I nap?

The time of day is also important for napping. Most sleep experts recommend napping no later than 2 pm . As discussed above, napping prior to the mid-afternoon results in a combination of light and REM sleep, whereas napping after 2 pm results in more slow-wave sleep.

Should I nap if tired?

Strong scientific evidence shows that our brains benefit from a brief period of actual sleep (a nap), not just a quiet period, to recover from fatigue and to help restore alertness. Both short (15-30 minute) and long (1.5-hour) naps can increase alertness. During the daytime, a brief nap is recommended .

What is afternoon sleep called?

A siesta (from Spanish, pronounced [ˈsjesta] and meaning “nap”) is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm.

Does a nap count as sleep?

If someone asks if they should have a nap, the answer should usually be “Yes, go take a nap.” Adults will typically only consider sleep if they are tired , and the best countermeasure for tiredness is sleep. There are two consequences of having a nap. First, it decreases the drive for sleep.

Do naps help digestion?

According to Diwekar, napping improves heart health and is known to be good for those who suffer from hypertension. It improves hormonal balance and helps in managing diabetes, PCOD and thyroid. It also boosts digestion , cures insomnia, improves recovery from workout or illnesses and induces fat loss.

What happens if you nap after eating?

Your body gains weight when you take in more calories than you are burning off. This is the case no matter when you eat. Going to sleep directly after you eat means your body doesn’t get a chance to burn off those calories . And, eating a big meal and then hitting the couch can be just as harmful.

Why am I so hungry after a nap?

The hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin stimulate and suppress appetite, respectively—and when you’re sleep-deprived, ghrelin levels go up and leptin levels go down . “This leads to increased hunger and more inadvertent snacking during the day and night,” says Petre.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.