Long and frequent daytime naps may indicate serious health issues and increase the risk of premature death.
Napping during daytime hours can be a sign of hidden illnesses / © TSN
Researchers from Harvard University observed elderly individuals for two decades and found a direct correlation between the habit of napping during the day and an increased risk of death. Scientists thoroughly analyzed data from 1400 adult patients aged 56 and over to determine the impact of nap frequency and duration on overall life expectancy.
This is reported by UNILAD.
The Danger of Excessive Rest
During the course of this large-scale experiment, 926 participants passed away, the majority of whom were women. Scientists concluded that each additional hour of napping per day increased the overall risk of death by 13 percent.
Furthermore, each additional daytime nap session raised this figure by another 7 percent. While such rest is not deadly in itself, it serves as an important warning sign for doctors.
According to specialists, constant drowsiness can be a symptom of an underlying disease that seriously disrupts the nocturnal cycle and increases the likelihood of fatal outcomes. An excessive need for naps is also often associated with heart diseases leading to heart attacks or strokes, and neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.
The Worst and Best Times for Sleep
Researchers paid particular attention to the time of day when people feel the greatest need to lie down. It was found that resting in the morning hours is the most dangerous, as the human body should be maximally active at this time.
According to the experiment’s data, morning nap enthusiasts had a 30 percent higher risk of premature death compared to other participants. Medics state that such a disruption in the routine can lead to elevated blood pressure and excessive nervous system activation.
“Daytime napping may not simply be a compensatory reaction to disrupted night sleep but can also serve as an independent marker of mortality risk,” emphasized the study’s authors.
To avoid health problems, sleep experts recommend resting exclusively in the early afternoon. An ideal nap should last between 15 and 20 minutes, between one and three o’clock in the afternoon.
Such a short and timely break only benefits the body. It effectively enhances alertness, improves mood and memory, and helps to efficiently reduce daily stress levels.
We remind you that scientists have identified a vitamin that reduces the risk of death by 60%. You can obtain sufficient amounts of this vitamin through a proper combination of foods and their preparation methods.
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