Everyone might benefit in some way from napping, according to a study done by University College London researchers.
According to a recent study, napping frequently can help one’s brain grow and stay bigger for longer!
Researchers from University College London and University of the Republic in Uruguay claim that daily naps can preserve brain health and delay the rate of brain shrinkage.
Scientists used data from volunteers ranging in age from 40 to 69 to reach their findings. In the journal Sleep Health, the study was published.
Dr. Victoria Garfield stated to the BBC that “we are suggesting that everybody could potentially experience some benefit from napping,” adding that the findings are “very new and very exciting.”
Although important for baby growth, napping declines with age. About 27% of people over 65 who have retired take naps during the day. Even though it’s unclear how napping affects avoiding illnesses like Alzheimer’s, more research is required. Age-related brain shrinkage is a normal part of life, and preventing dementia, which is linked to poor sleep, requires maintaining good overall brain health. According to research, a lack of sleep over time may cause brain inflammation and changes in neuronal connections.
Therefore, regular naps could prevent neurodegeneration by making up for inadequate sleep, according to researcher Valentina Paz.
On the basis of the DNA that we inherit at birth, scientists conducted a natural experiment. A total of 97 DNA strands have been found to either increase or decrease our propensity to snooze. Data from 35,000 individuals aged 40 to 69 were examined as part of the UK Biobank project, and those who exhibited the genetic “napper” and “non-napper” features were contrasted.
The BBC claimed that taking naps increased brain volume by 15 cubic centimeters (0.9 cubic inches), which is equivalent to delaying aging by three to six years.
“I enjoy taking quick naps on the weekends, and this study has persuaded me that I shouldn’t consider sleeping to be lazy. According to Prof. Tara Spires-Jones of the University of Edinburgh, who also serves as the president of the British Neuroscience Association, “it might even be guarding my brain.”
The researcher called the study “interesting” and noted that it revealed a “small but significant increase in brain volume.” She continued, saying that it “adds to the data indicating that sleep is important for brain health.”
Although the researchers didn’t explicitly examine taking a long nap in the middle of the day, they claimed that the science supported a maximum of 30 minutes. The recommendation is to take naps, but to keep them under 30 minutes because prolonged naps may have adverse effects.
Daily naps can be a sign of issues with the quality of nocturnal sleep or even general health, according to Dr. Margaret Blattner, clinical lecturer in the department of neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
“Regular or protracted daytime naps can interfere with restful nocturnal sleep. According to Blattner, taking a nap during the day may make it more difficult or disrupted to go asleep at night. “Missing out on nighttime sleep can cause severe daytime sleepiness, either because busy schedules don’t allow sufficient sleep opportunity, or because of a problem with the quality of sleep itself.”
Blattner argued that since quality sleep is good for the body and restorative, a shift in sleep patterns—such as needing more sleep at night or naps during the day—may indicate a health issue.
People sometimes wake up feeling drowsy or “groggy” after taking a long nap, she continues, adding that prolonged naps are frequently less restorative than shorter daytime naps. Additionally, taking lengthy naps during the day prevents people from engaging in other healthy activities including spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, and exercising.
