A short afternoon nap has been linked to better mental agility by a new study – improved location awareness, verbal fluency, and working memory were noted in participants who nap versus those who didn’t.
The study looked at a total of 2,214 people aged 60 or older in China. They were all asked what their sleeping habits were, and then they were given a series of tests to measure different types of cognitive skills, from problem solving to staying focused.
Although the duration and frequency of naps varied among the volunteers surveyed, the analysis found “significantly higher” cognitive performance scores in people who said they regularly turn a blind eye around mid-day.
“Several studies have shown that afternoon naps promote cognitive function in the elderly; on the other hand, some studies have shown opposite results,” the researchers write in their published paper.
“This study emphasized higher cognitive performance in elderly nappers, in support of previous observational studies.”
That some studies support the idea that daytime napping is linked to better brain function, while other studies don’t is a bit of a mystery to scientists, and to those of us wondering whether we should work on napping or napping. not.
The researchers suggest in this case that whether sleep is intentional or not, as well as the duration of the naps, may play a role – these factors were not measured here, although naps were defined as durations of less than two hours and more than five minutes.
Even with the limitations of the study – which isn’t enough to demonstrate cause and effect, just an association – the researchers say it’s a useful look at how naps can act as a sort of mediator between ill health and the inflammatory responses of the drug. the body.
Previous studies have looked in detail at the links between sleep and the immune system, and there are suggestions that napping may have an effect here too.
It’s important to remember that health and wellness goes well beyond cognitive functioning, so there is a lot involved in figuring out if napping is really good for us.
“When disease or cell damage occurs, napping can help regulate the inflammatory response,” the researchers write.
This study also looked at the level of triglycerides, a type of fat found in blood, in the participants.
The results showed that regular nappers had higher levels of these lipids than non-nappers – perhaps because people with more sedentary lifestyles are more likely to nap. This is another area that future research could focus on, the team behind the study suggests.
While napping is generally more common as people age, scientists are not yet sure if this type of daytime naps can help prevent dementia and other types of cognitive decline, or if it is actually a symptom of them.
At this point, the consensus seems to be that on balance napping is usually good for us, and there is no doubt that generally getting enough sleep and rest is essential to keep our bodies healthy and healthy.
And if you were wondering how often napping was in the study sample, 1,534 people reported taking at least an occasional afternoon nap, while 680 didn’t – so if you’re tempted to sit still a bit during the day , you are certainly not alone.
The research is published in General psychiatry.