Long or Irregular Daytime Napping Linked to Higher Risk of Early Death
Daytime naps are often considered a helpful way to rest and recharge. However, a recent scientific study challenges this view. Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that long or highly irregular daytime naps may significantly increase the risk of premature death.
The findings were published in the renowned journal SLEEP.
Study Details:
The study involved over 86,000 participants, with an average age of 63. Each participant wore an actigraphy wristband for 7 days to track sleep and movement. The study focused specifically on naps taken between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Over an 11-year follow-up period, 5,189 participants (6%) passed away.
Key findings:
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The average nap duration was 24 minutes;
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Longer, more frequent, or irregular naps were linked to a higher risk of death.
“Irregular” meant that the nap time and duration varied from day to day.
Why It Matters:
While sleep is essential to health, the study shows that
Excessive or inconsistent napping may signal underlying health issues.
These issues might include:
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Depression,
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Parkinson’s disease,
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Iron-deficiency anemia, among others.
Co-author Chenlu Gao noted that these findings contradict existing beliefs about the benefits of napping and call for further research.
Conclusion: Napping Should Be Balanced and Consistent
If you often feel the need to nap or tend to sleep for long periods during the day, don’t ignore it.
It may be more than just tiredness.Frequent daytime drowsiness, irregular sleep patterns, or constant fatigue may be a reason to consult a doctor.
Sleep is a key to health — but like any key, it must be used wisely.
Otherwise, it might lock the door instead of opening it.
