How a Power Nap Protects Your Heart?
We love naps! They not only make us fit, but also strengthen our heart. But only under certain conditions, as a new study has shown.
After lunch most of us are a little sleepy at first. No wonder: The body is busy with digestion and our energy level sinks into the bottomless pit. Those who can, will certainly like to take a nap now. Doctors have been preaching for a long time that this not only lifts the spirits, but also makes us fit again in the head. Many studies also suggest that a nap can protect us from heart attacks and strokes. But is that always true? No! At least that’s what researchers at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland are now saying. Their new study has shown that only a certain number of naps a week actually protect our heart.
Yes to nap – but in moderation
In total, the scientists examined data from 3,262 people over a period of five years. The test persons were divided into groups – depending on how often they took a nap per week. Most of the participants, 58 percent, did not take one. Some took an afternoon nap once or twice a week (19 percent), 12 percent took three to five naps a week and 11 percent even took short naps almost every day.
Surprising conclusion
The study found that those who took a nap once or twice a week had a 48 percent lower risk of heart attack or stroke compared to the other groups. Second place went to the test persons who did not sleep at all in between. And: those who took a nap almost every day surprisingly had the highest risk of heart attack and stroke.
Especially the results of the participants, who took a nap almost every day, surprised study author Dr. Nadine Hausler and her team. The researchers had already included other factors that could influence the results in the study. All results were published in the British Medical Journal.
A nap against the stress
So the study proves that naps are healthy – but only in moderation. The best protection for our heart is to take a short afternoon nap once or twice a week. This also lowers our stress level and can, for example, help us compensate for bad sleep at night.