Tag

Naps

All articles tagged with #naps

health1 month ago•3 min saved

New UA findings tie sleep habits to brain aging markers

A University of Arizona analysis of more than 23,000 middle-aged and older adults links three common sleep behaviors—sleeping outside the 7–9 hour range, frequent daytime napping, and sleeplessness—to greater brain white matter lesion volumes, a marker of aging and dementia risk. After adjusting for vascular health and lifestyle factors, snoring and unintentional daytime dozing were not linked. The findings, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggest sleep is a modifiable factor for brain aging, though more work is needed to understand nap length and timing.

via University of Arizona News|

#brain-aging #health #naps

health2 months ago•7 min saved

Morning Naps Could Flag Hidden Health Problems in Seniors

A long-term study of 1,338 older adults found that longer daytime naps, more frequent naps, and morning naps were linked to higher all-cause mortality. Each extra hour of napping per day correlated with about a 13% greater death risk, each additional nap per day with ~7% more risk, and morning nappers had roughly 30% higher risk than afternoon nappers. While the findings show correlation, not causation, they suggest nap patterns may reflect underlying disease or circadian disruption and could be used via wearable monitoring to detect health issues earlier.

via SciTechDaily|

#aging #circadian-rhythm #health

health2 months ago•1 min saved

Morning naps may hint at health risks in older adults, study finds

A study of 1,338 adults aged 56+ (average age 81) using wrist activity monitors since 2005 found that long, frequent daytime naps—especially morning naps—are associated with higher health risks and possible underlying conditions, implying that persistent morning napping could signal health issues rather than just sleepiness.

via The Boston Globe|

#aging #health #naps

health3 months ago•2 min saved

Excessive Daytime Naps in Older Adults Linked to Higher Mortality, Study Finds

A Mass General Brigham and Rush University study followed 1,338 older adults for up to 19 years using wrist activity monitors to quantify nap length, frequency, and time of day. They found longer, more frequent, and morning naps associated with higher all-cause mortality: about 13% higher risk per extra nap hour, 7% per additional nap, and 30% higher risk for morning versus afternoon naps; irregular patterns showed no increased risk. The authors emphasize correlation, not causation, and suggest wearable nap tracking could help detect underlying health issues early.

via Mass General Brigham|

#aging #health #mortality

health4 months ago•187 min saved

Closing the bedtime gap: experts urge consistent routines to boost kids' sleep

A National Sleep Foundation poll of 977 caregivers finds 44% of American children don’t consistently get the recommended amount of sleep, with guidelines varying by age (newborns 14–17 hours, school-age children 9–11 hours). Experts say a regular, calming bedtime routine, appropriate naps, and parents modeling good sleep habits are key to improving kids’ mood and daytime functioning.

via CNN|

#bedtime-routine #health #kids-sleep

health5 months ago•15 min saved

Sleep Banking: Can Extra Rest Be Stored for a Future Wake-Up?

The BBC explores whether “sleep banking”—extending sleep in advance of anticipated deprivation—really helps alertness and performance. Early military studies suggested benefits, and some doctors and athletes have reported improved performance after extra sleep. Yet researchers remain divided: some argue sleep can’t be stored like a bank and that improvements may reflect avoiding debt rather than storing surplus. Most agree seven to nine hours of nightly sleep is optimal, and while 30–60 extra minutes or short naps before a busy period can help, sleep banking isn’t a long-term solution and shouldn’t replace regular sleep.

via BBC|

#cognitive-performance #health #naps

health2 years ago•5 min saved

The Truth About Naps: Sleep Experts Weigh In

Napping can provide several health benefits if approached correctly. It can help recharge and refresh you physically and cognitively, improve learning capacity, memory, and emotional regulation. Napping can also support the healing process when you're sick. However, there are some health risks associated with napping, such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and depression, although it's unclear if napping itself causes these conditions. The ideal nap length is 15 to 30 minutes, as longer naps can lead to sleep inertia. Napping may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with insomnia. On the other hand, habitual napping has been linked to larger brain volume, which may help preserve brain health as you age.

via Yahoo Life|

#brain-health #health #health-benefits

health2 years ago•6 min saved

The Truth About Naps: Sleep Experts Weigh In

Napping can provide various benefits, including physical and cognitive refreshment, improved learning capacity, better memory, and emotional regulation. Napping can also support the healing process by allowing the immune system to function effectively. However, longer naps have been associated with health risks such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. The optimal nap length is 15 to 30 minutes, as longer naps can lead to sleep inertia and make you feel drowsy. Napping may not be suitable for individuals with insomnia, as it can disrupt nighttime sleep. Recent research suggests that habitual napping may contribute to maintaining brain health and reducing the risk of dementia in older adults.

via Yahoo Canada Shine On|

#brain-health #health #health-benefits

health3 years ago

The Impact of Napping on Brain Function in Adults and Children

A recent study suggests that adults who take regular naps can enhance their brain function. Researchers found that individuals who took short naps during the day experienced improved cognitive performance, including better memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Napping was also associated with increased productivity and alertness. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating naps into daily routines for better brain health and overall well-being.

via News8000.com - WKBT|

#brain-health #cognitive-function #health

health3 years ago•2 min saved

The Impact of Napping on Children's Cognitive Skills

A study from the University of East Anglia in the UK suggests that frequent napping in children is linked to poorer cognitive skills and vocabularies. However, naps have been shown to provide cognitive benefits, such as memory consolidation and enhanced attention. The study observed 463 infants during the pandemic lockdown and found that infants with more frequent but shorter naps than expected for their age had smaller vocabularies and worse cognitive function. The research highlights the impact of the pandemic on families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities to provide children with the best chances in life. Ultimately, parents should trust their children's sleep needs and provide the right environmental support for their development.

via Newsweek|

#children #cognitive-skills #development

health3 years ago•3 min saved

The downside of long naps: What the study says.

A study published in the Obesity research journal found that mid-day naps that lasted 30 minutes or longer were associated with several health conditions commonly linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. However, power naps that lasted less than 30 minutes were not associated with an increased risk for obesity and other metabolic concerns. The study evaluated the sleep and health patterns of 3,275 adults from the Spanish region of Murcia, where siestas are part of the culture. The importance of sleep has been studied and debated for years with experts touting their do’s and dont’s but the need for more research persists as concerning diseases and illnesses continue to rise.

via New York Post |

#diabetes #health #heart-disease