Napping can be a rejuvenating experience, but adding too much time to your midday power boost may do more harm than good.
Researchers (Guangzhou Medical University) say naps lasting longer than an hour can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
A common view, said the researchers, is that napping improves performance and counteracts the negative consequences of “sleep debt”. Their study challenges these widely held opinions. More than an hour can pose a threat to the heart and can even lead to premature death from other causes. The study finds rest may be a case of too much of anything is not necessarily a good thing. However, just the right amount of sleep can be beneficial to the napper’s health.
The results suggest that shorter naps (especially those less than 30 to 45 minutes) might improve heart health in people who sleep insufficiently at night. For those not in the habit of a daytime slumber, the researchers said there is “no convincing evidence to start.”
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