Do you have a habit of taking a napdaytime? Many people have this habit, especially after lunch. Adherents say that this little time helps to relax and keep them more active for the rest of the day.
But are these naps really beneficial for our body? And if they are, what is the ideal time to ensure rest, but avoid that feeling of waking up dazed and with body aches?
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We will answer these questions in this article. Follow!
After all, is taking naps healthy for our brain?
For lovers of daily naps, we have good news: yes, short naps have several positive effects on the human brain, according to a recent study published in the journal Sleep Health.
The research in question analyzed DNA samples and brain scans from more than 35,000 participants aged between 40 and 69.
The study was carried out in the following way: the responsible researchers examined the genetic code associated with participants' propensity for regular naps and compared the results with analyzes of brain health and tests of cognition.
The results were encouraging: Participants who took regular naps had a larger total brain volume than the rest. the difference of agingwas between 2.5 and 6.5 years compared to those who did not nap.
It is important to highlight that the study focused on the benefits of naps, not taking into account pre-existing chronic diseases.
That's what emphasized Hassan Dashti, PhD, research assistant in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the study's authors.
Ideal nap time
Many people report discomfort when sleeping during the day. The study showed that, in most of these cases, such symptoms are associated with rest time, being necessary to seek a balance to guarantee a more productive “post-nap” mind and not the contrary.
The study did not seek to elucidate the reasons behind the possible causes associated with daytime naps, but the researchers believe that they may help to offset the sleep deprivation, which affects a large part of the population. In this sense, dividing sleep into two (or more) shifts can be a valid alternative for some people.
But answering the initial question, the ideal time for a nap during the day should be between 15 and 30 minutes, no more than that. With these few minutes, it is possible to reap the benefits cited in the study and help regulate sleep.
