Indulging in the habit of long afternoon naps can lead your body to face unexpected health warnings.
1. Excessive Napping – More Harm Than Good
A recent study by Dr. Tomohide Yamada from the University of Tokyo, along with his colleagues, involving 307,237 participants, has raised alarming concerns about the unexpected harms caused by “overdosing” on naps. Through 21 observational experiments, participants were asked questions such as “Do you experience any problems with daytime sleepiness?“, “Do you take naps?“, and the collected data was compared with that of patients suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The results were surprising: individuals who nap for more than 40 minutes a day face an increased risk of metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and fat accumulation (especially around the waist), along with higher blood sugar levels, leading to unavoidable risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Napping helps you stay alert and recharge.
Another study published in the journal Sleep last June also pointed out a close relationship between napping for over an hour and an 82% increased likelihood of developing heart disease, along with a 27% risk of mortality. The annual conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes warned that the risk of developing disease increases by up to 46% for those who nap for more than 60 minutes, and 56% for those who frequently experience fatigue and exhaustion.
Excessive napping increases the risk of obesity and diabetes.
2. How Long Should You Nap?
Napping can help relax the mind and body, reduce fatigue, improve memory and mood, and increase work and study efficiency. The ideal duration for a perfect nap is around 20-30 minutes, which is enough to help you feel alert and recharged. The recommended napping time is approximately between 2 PM and 3 PM, as napping during this period has minimal impact on nighttime sleep.
The perfect nap duration is about 20 – 30 minutes.
Scientists from Loughborough University suggest that women should nap 20 minutes longer than men due to more active and complex brain function during the day. Additionally, men in professions that require decision-making or multi-dimensional thinking also need longer rest periods than men in other fields.
Take some time each day for a nap to relax your mind and body.
