Napping is often associated with two types of people: toddlers and the elderly. And for the latter, the nap is particularly beneficial. A recent Chinese study, published in General Psychiatry underline all the benefits of sleeping during the day, especially from a mental health point of view.
Two groups of participants were put face to face, the average age of the two is 60 years and over, and the average sleep per night is common at 6.5 hours. One group of 1,534 people took naps regularly (the study does not specify what time of day or for how long), the other group of 680 people did not. All were well and came from various parts of China, including major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
The idea was to see if the nap could help them reduce the risk of dementia, or even more simply slight loss of bearings and memory problems. By comparing the two groups of patients, the researchers found that finding one’s bearings in space, expressing oneself fluently or maintaining one’s memory were easier for those who slept during the day than for those who did not.
In addition to this, the siesta allows people who practice it to have better emotional stability. On the other hand, the study did not go so far as to answer the question: can naps prevent cognitive decline in the elderly?
Taking short naps is healthier
We already know many health benefits of napping, especially on the heart and immunity. A previous study had shown in particular that short and regular naps reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke. This new study confirms that it is worth better opt for short naps (around 30 minutes). If they are longer, they may instead be associated with cognitive decline, the authors observed.
Source: BMJ Journal General Psychiatry
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