They are riskier than you think.
Taking naps during the day may seem beneficial, especially for older adults, but new research suggests certain napping habits could be linked to a higher risk of early death. A study set to be presented at the upcoming American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) conference highlights that not all naps are created equal when it comes to long-term health.
According to lead researcher Chenlu Gao, a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, individuals who frequently took long naps, had inconsistent nap schedules, or regularly slept between late morning and early afternoon were more likely to face an increased risk of premature death. These findings held true even after accounting for other lifestyle and health factors.
The study examined sleep data from over 86,500 participants in the UK Biobank, a large-scale health research project. Participants, who had an average age of 63 when monitored, wore wrist devices that tracked their sleep for a week. Researchers then followed up with mortality data over the next 11 years, during which nearly 5,200 of the participants died.
The data identified three napping patterns associated with increased mortality: long naps during the day, highly variable napping habits, and napping between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Interestingly, this last point challenges the AASM’s existing advice, which suggests that short naps in the early afternoon (no more than 20 to 30 minutes) can be beneficial. Longer naps, researchers noted, may lead to grogginess and diminished benefits.
These results raise new questions about the timing and duration of naps and whether they truly support better health. Gao emphasized the need for further investigation to clarify the unexpected risks associated with midday napping. The study will be officially presented at the AASM’s annual meeting in Seattle.
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