Health benefits of napping: relieving stress and lowering blood pressure

 

 

Generally, taking a nap has health benefits, except for people who cannot sleep well at night and those who take naps in uncomfortable positions such as lying face down. Based on sources like the American online media 'HuffPost,' the health effects of napping have been summarized.

"Reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke"

 

According to research, taking a nap once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. A study tracking approximately 3,400 people aged 35 to 75 for over five years found that those who occasionally napped for 5 minutes to 1 hour once or twice a week were 48% less likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure compared to those who did not nap.

"Your physique improves"

 

A study involving women found that women with insufficient sleep are more likely to consume more added sugars, greasy foods, and caffeine. Sleep deprivation is believed to stimulate hunger and suppress hormonal signals that indicate satiety.

This can soon lead to overeating. According to the research team, these findings are important because women are at higher risk of obesity and sleep disorders. It has even been found that naps can improve the overall quality of nighttime sleep.

 

"Relaxation occurs"

 

One of the reasons you can smile after taking a nap is the relaxation effect that relieves tension. The National Sleep Foundation in the United States advises treating naps as a 'mini vacation.'

It's okay even if you only try to take a quick nap and actually can't fall asleep. According to research, taking a short rest in bed has a relaxing effect whether you actually sleep or not.

"The brain becomes active"

 

After taking a nap, the activity in the right side of the brain related to creativity becomes significantly more active. According to research, people who take naps perform better in creative word association tasks.

The right brain (right hemisphere) is associated with creative tasks such as visualization and thinking, while the left brain (left hemisphere) is more analytical. The research team observed the brain activity of 15 individuals and discovered that the right hemisphere communicates actively not only with the left hemisphere but also internally. In contrast, the left hemisphere was relatively quiet.

"Your mind becomes bright and alert" = According to research by NASA, pilots who enjoy a 40-minute nap show higher alertness levels compared to their colleagues who did not rest.

According to a research team at Harvard University in the United States, taking a 20-minute nap can improve the energy of night shift workers. In a small-scale study, participants even reported feeling more alert after just a 10-minute nap.

"Feeling better"

 

Lack of sleep naturally leads to irritability. There are countless studies showing that taking a short nap significantly improves one's mood.

"Productivity increases"

 

Taking an afternoon nap at work actually improves job performance. Experts say that a short nap is a revitalizing remedy for office workers who are sleep-deprived and physically exhausted. There are also studies showing that it is much more effective than having a cup of coffee in the afternoon.