To nap or not to nap – that is the question. If you do not get enough sleep at night and/or feel tired a lot then you might be taking an afternoon nap every now and then. But how much does this really help your health? And, believe it or not, long naps can be counterproductive.
According to SleepDoctor.com, nearly one-third of adults and 73% of high school students in the United States fall short on sleep. “A lack of adequate sleep, in terms of either quantity or quality, increases a person’s risk of car crashes, work accidents, and a variety of health problems,” it says. “For this reason, getting adequate sleep is of utmost importance.”
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Daytime naps, often called power naps, can be a fantastic way to boost energy, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.
A short nap can banish afternoon fatigue and help reduce stress and irritability. A quick power nap can also boost cognitive function. Surprisingly, short naps can improve nighttime sleep quality.
Dr. Amy Korwin, a pulmonologist with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Connecticut, explained, “Naps can increase your alertness and improve your performance and reaction times. They can also reduce fatigue or sleepiness and improve your mood.”
“Longer naps reduce your sleep drive, making it harder for you to fall asleep easily at night. They can also lead to sleep inertia, or a groggy feeling and difficulty returning to a fully awake, alert state after the nap,” added Dr. Korwin.
“In the afternoon, your body experiences a natural circadian dip, or a dip in energy levels, making it an ideal time for napping.”
It’s important to note, however, that excessive napping can have drawbacks. Research indicates that longer naps may be linked to more serious health issues, such as heart disease, depression, and diabetes.
On this matter Dr. Korwin said, “Although it’s unclear whether napping causes these conditions or if its underlying health issues that lead to increased sleepiness and napping.”
And the Mayo Clinic, however, explains that napping isn’t for everyone. Some people simply can’t sleep during the day or have trouble sleeping in places other than their own beds, which napping sometimes requires.
So, if you feel like a nap keep it to between 20 and 30 minutes. And remember – nothing can take the place of getting at least eight solid hours of sleep per night.
