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Science says that taking an afternoon nap can lead to a sharper mind
Research suggests that midday rest may also help alleviate inflammation.
Scientists have long known that getting enough sleep is essential for our overall well-being, but according to new research, when you rest more, it can make a difference. A study published in General Psychiatry revealed that regularly counting a few sheep during an afternoon nap could actually help with mental sharpness. Their findings? People who nap regularly had greater awareness of where they were, better verbal skills, and generally better memory.
To reach their conclusion, the researchers studied 2,214 healthy people over 60 years old in cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. They found that 1,534 of the subjects routinely took afternoon naps, while the other 680 stayed awake. While both groups averaged six and a half hours of sleep at night, those who napped in the afternoon slept an additional five minutes to two hours after lunch. Some nap participants mentioned they rested every day, while others did so only once a week.
Each participant also underwent health checks, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), to see if they experienced dementia. These tests included 30 different measurements of cognitive strength and functioning, such as visuospatial skills, memory, attention span, problem-solving ability, awareness of location, and verbal ability. The findings showed that those who napped had higher MMSE scores, specifically in the areas of location awareness, verbal ability, and memory skills.
The team noted that more research would be helpful on this topic, as the amount of nap time varied among participants. They believe the relief of inflammation occurs when people take a nap during the midday hours.
"Sleep regulates the body's immune response, and it is believed that napping is an evolved response to inflammation; people with higher levels of inflammation also tend to nap more frequently," the researchers explained.
