Go Ahead, It’s Okay to Take a Nap, but Keep It Short Longevity Playbook
go to original July 11, 2023

Everybody does it. Most folks love it. Yet sleep is still a mystery in the scientific world. A good slumber is extremely important when it comes to brain function and living younger for longer. Doctors will tell you that getting between 6.5 and 8.5 hours of deep, restful sleep a night can improve your real age.

When it comes to napping, they're not so sure. A large body of evidence connects naps with increased risk of mortality from all causes. In particular, cardiovascular risk was 34% higher in people who take long naps; that is, for 60 minutes or longer. But those who napped for 25 minutes or less did not show this risk.

There's also evidence that naps are an important treatment for fatigue, sleep deprivation and other disorders. Naps also improve short-term memory, mood, and motor skills.

If you're getting adequate sleep (6.5 to 8.5 hours per night) and you still wake up tired, or frequently feel you need a nap, you might have a problem like sleep apnea, or post-traumatic stress. Rather than just letting it go, get a medical evaluation and find out for sure.



Learn more at Longevity Playbook

Related: Health Benefits of Napping (WebMD)

Related: Exercises for Better Sleep (WebMD)