A short afternoon nap was associated with better mental alertness in a new study – it improved locational awareness, verbal fluency and working memory in participants who dozed off versus those who did not.
The survey looked at a total of 2,214 people aged 60 and over in China. Everyone was asked what their napping habits were, and then a series of tests were done to measure different types of cognitive ability, from solving problems to staying focused.
Although the duration and frequency of naps varied among the volunteers who were asked, the analysis found scores of cognitive performance “significantly higher” in people who said they used to sleep a little in the middle of the day.
“Several studies have shown that afternoon naps promote cognitive function in the elderly; on the other hand, some studies have shown opposite results,” write the researchers in their published article.
“This study highlighted superior cognitive performance in naps in the elderly, supporting previous observational studies.”
The fact that some studies support the idea that daytime napping is linked to better brain function, while other studies are not, is a puzzle for scientists and for those of us who are wondering whether we should work to develop the habit of sleeping or not.
The researchers, in this case, suggest that whether the nap is intentional or not, as well as the duration of naps, may play a role – these factors have not been measured here, although naps have been defined as lasting less than two hours and more than five minutes.
Even with the study’s limitations – which is not enough to show cause and effect, just one association – the researchers say it is a useful insight into how napping can act as a kind of mediator between health problems and the body’s inflammatory responses .
Previous studies have examined in detail the links between sleep and the immune system, and there have been suggestions that napping may have an effect here as well.
It is important to remember that health and wellbeing go far beyond cognitive function, so there is a lot to consider when it comes to finding out whether napping is really good for us.
“When a disease or cell damage occurs, napping can help regulate the inflammatory response,” write the researchers.
This study also looked at the level of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, in the participants.
The results found that those who slept regularly had higher levels of these lipids than those who did not sleep – perhaps because those with more sedentary lifestyles are more likely to take a nap. This is another area that future research could focus on, suggests the team behind the study.
Although napping generally becomes more common as people age, scientists are still unsure whether this type of daytime nap can help prevent dementia and other types of cognitive decline, or whether it is actually a symptom of it.
At the moment, the consensus seems to be that, overall, napping is generally good for us, and there is no doubt that, in general, getting enough sleep and rest is essential to keeping our bodies healthy and well.
And if you’re wondering what the prevalence of naps was in the study sample, 1,534 people reported taking at least occasional naps in the afternoon, while 680 didn’t – so if you’re tempted to get some sleep during the day, you definitely don’t. is alone.
The research was published in General Psychiatry.