To all my fellow sleepyheads, here is some good news. According to a recent study, catching up on a nap during the day can actually be beneficial for you and your heart! Aah! What better news to hear than this while we are under lockdown, right?!
In a study published in the journal Heart, researchers found that adults who took one or two daytime naps per week had a lower risk of heart problems, including heart disease and strokes than non-nappers.
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Major Findings Of The Study
The study tracked 3,462 people in Lausanne, Switzerland, between the ages of 35 and 75 for an average of 5 years. Researchers took into account sleeping patterns of the participants, alongside demographic and lifestyle factors.
Of the people studied, it was observed that 58% did not nap, 19% took one to two naps per week, and 12% took up to three to five naps per week. Another 11% took six to seven naps per week. Over the course of five years, 155 cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or a stroke, were recorded among the participants.
In conclusion, the researchers found that those who napped once or twice a week were 48% less likely to experience cardiovascular issues, even when other factors were taken into account.
What’s More?
According to the CDC, sleep deprivation is a known risk factor for conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and mental distress. So naps like these could be an effective way to reduce stress and compensate for inadequate sleep at night, thereby protecting heart health, the paper suggests.
The study did, however, find an exception. Heart-health benefits associated with occasional napping were not observed in adults older than 65. This could perhaps be attributed to the fact that older adults tend to have more health problems than younger adults and are more inclined to nap for longer.
The study was however limited by its observational design, which means that it allowed researchers to find only patterns, not cause and effect. Participants also self-reported their nap habits, which could have been inaccurate.
While this is definitely good news for most of us, the importance of a healthy diet and a good workout should not be forgotten. For now, you can now take than nap without an ounce of guilt!
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