A new study finds people who take daytime naps face an increased risk of adverse health outcomes and mortality.
Researchers say the need to snooze before sunset may be associated with an increased risk of death once you reach middle-to-older age.
They analyzed data from more than 86,000 older adults who wore small devices that tracked how much they slept between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The median nap duration was 0.40 hours per day – or about 24 minutes. 9 a.m. – 11a.m. was the most popular nap time and 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. was the least popular.
Over 11 years of follow-up, more than 5,000 participants passed away. Those who took longer naps, had irregular daytime sleep patterns, and slept more around noon and in the early afternoon were at greater risk of dying.
The researchers say adding nap assessments to medical exams may help identify people at higher mortality risk and lead to interventions that promote longevity.
The lead author says, “…the data that shows risks associated with napping around midday and early afternoon contradicts what we currently know about napping, so further research on that link could be warranted.”
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends healthy adults limit naps to no longer than 20-30 minutes in the early afternoon.
Source: Sleep
Author Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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