Why napping is healthy

Naps have a lot going for them, Dr. Drerup says. For some people with sleep disorders, daytime naps might even be a scheduled part of your treatment plan. Various studies have found that naps can increase alertness, speed up reaction time and improve logical reasoning abilities. Trying to learn a new skill? A nap might be just what you need. Researchers have found that people who learn new tasks remember them better after a short nap.

One study found that people who took an hour-long nap remembered new information better than people who took a break or crammed before the test. And of the three groups, the nappers remembered the info best a week later. A nap can help ease stress and may even turn a sour mood around.

Sleep Medicine Reviews. Maski K. Insufficient sleep: Evaluation and management. Mantua J, et al. Exploring the nap paradox: Are mid-day sleep bouts a friend or foe? Sleep Medicine. Tamaki M, et al. Night watch in one brain hemisphere during sleep associated with the first-night effect in humans.

Current Biology. Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Oct. Sleep deprivation and deficiency. Hilditch CJ, et al. A review of short naps and sleep inertia: Do naps of 30 min or less really avoid sleep inertia and slow-wave sleep? Tips for better sleep. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One theory explaining poor cognition in those who take longer naps: Resting more during the day may be a sign of poor quality nighttime sleep, according to Gamaldo.

Research says that the best time for older adults to take to nap is between 1 and 4 p. Ideally, the nap should last between 20 and 40 minutes to avoid feeling groggy immediately after you wake up. Overall, studies show that people who sleep too much or too little may have poor health and even a shorter life span. Health Home Wellness and Prevention. Experts say you can prepare for the end of daylight saving time for days in advance.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Written by Brian Krans on September 15, Share on Pinterest Experts say the key questions to napping are why you need the daytime rest and how long you snooze.

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