Many cultures take naps during the day and as part of their daily life. In the United States, as many as a third of adults regularly partake in a midday snooze, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
However, there are pros and cons on napping. Some of the benefits are catching up on a late night, feeling less cranky, and even keeping yourself safe when you are driving long-distance. “In addition to reducing sleepiness, naps have been shown to improve memory in the laboratory setting,” says Dr. Suzanne Bertisch, an Associate Physician and Clinical Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Some studies have found that adults who take long naps during the day may be more likely to have conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression. The urge to sleep during the day may be a sign that they are not getting enough sleep at night, which is associated with a higher risk of developing those chronic conditions. Daytime drowsiness may also be a sign that you are getting low-quality sleep, which may indicate a sleep disorder.
Tips on how to nap well:
- Time it right
- Keep it short
- Get comfortable
- Examine your motivation
Reference:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-your-daily-nap-doing-more-harm-than-good
