Having Afternoon Naps Can Make You Live Longer, According to Science

According to the findings of a published journal in Heart, taking an afternoon nap could help you live longer after they found out that napping could increased the frequency and duration of health.

The study has found out that taking naps during afternoon do not only destress but also helps everyone to live longer after the researchers initiated that people who take naps once or twice have around 50% of not suffering from heart attack and stroke.

Nadine Hausler said that among almost 3,500 participants (ages between 25 to 75 years old) from Switzerland compared to those who don’t take naps, people who nap occasionally  once or twice a week had a lower risk on developing heart disease.

Health experts recommended an 8-hour sleep every night, however as you reach adulthood it may be challenging to take it. But, taking a nap can be the solution for this.

Hausler and his scientists' team in the University Hospital of Lausane followed and observed the participants of the study for 5 years. These individuals were healthy, didn’t have any sign of heart disease and had good sleeping habits.

They found out that participants’ napping frequency varied among others, with the report researchers concluded that the napping frequency was 1-2 times per week.

The effect of napping on heart health has been studied before, however, none looked into the effect of frequency and duration.

“Subjects who nap once or twice per week have a lower risk of incident CVD (cardiovascular disease) events, while no association was found for more frequent napping or napping duration.” The authors wrote.

The authors then emphasized that this was only an observational study and so cause and effect cannot be established, after they thought that the findings may encourage people to take their daytime nap.

“Our best guess is that a daytime nap just releases stress from insufficient sleep.” Hausler said.

Photo courtesy: triathlete.com