Several cultures across the world have an afternoon nap native to them, most famously the Spanish siesta. Whilst this may not be a practical option for many in today’s corporate life, this article looks at studies which show the benefits of napping during the day.
“A randomised controlled trial in 2023 found that nappers woke up with improvements to mood, alertness and memory. Napping habitually might also be wise. A study from 2007 by the Harvard School of Public Health found that healthy adults who took regular naps had a 37% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared with non-nappers. One published in 2003 in Sleep Health suggested that habitual napping could even add years to your life by slowing the rate at which your brain shrinks with age.”
But the key is the duration. How long is optimal?
“Sleep scientists tend to agree that a short “power” nap, somewhere between ten and 30 minutes, is best. For example, in 1994 NASA found that a 26-minute power nap enhanced pilots’ physiological awareness and performance. Sleep for too long and you enter the deeper phases of the 90-minute sleep cycle and wake up feeling groggy. You may also struggle to fall asleep at night.
…A meta-analysis in 2016 concluded that daily naps lasting more than an hour increased the risk of developing diabetes and associated cardiovascular trouble. And a study involving 1,400 participants in 2023 found a link between frequent extended naps and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.“
Experts even reckon that the human body has evolved to use an afternoon nap. “They point to a natural dip in alertness after midday, caused by fluctuations in the circadian rhythm. Studies which find that power naps do not disrupt night-time sleep also appear to bolster the case for kipping twice a day. In cultures where this is common, however, nappers must nevertheless rest at night for the recommended seven hours.
If you want to read our other published material, please visit https://marcellus.in/blog/
Note: The above material is neither investment research, nor financial advice. Marcellus does not seek payment for or business from this publication in any shape or form. The information provided is intended for educational purposes only. Marcellus Investment Managers is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and is also an FME (Non-Retail) with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) as a provider of Portfolio Management Services. Additionally, Marcellus is also registered with US Securities and Exchange Commission (“US SEC”) as an Investment Advisor.
