A short afternoon nap was associated with better mental agility through a new study – improved situational awareness, verbal fluency, and working memory were observed in participants who did nap compared to those who did not. they did.
The research looked at a total of 2,214 people aged 60 and over in China. Everyone was asked what their sleeping habits are and then they were given a series of tests to measure different types of cognitive skills, from problem solving to staying focused.
While the length and frequency of puppies varied among the respondents, the analysis found “significantly higher” cognitive performance scores in people who said they regularly got their eyes closed in the middle of the day.
“Several studies have shown that the afternoon chick promotes cognitive function in the elderly; on the other hand, some studies have shown opposite results,” the researchers write in their published paper.
“This study showed a higher cognitive performance in diapers in the elderly, supporting previous observational studies.”
The fact that some studies support the idea that postponing during the day is related to better brain function, while other studies do not is a bit of a puzzle for scientists and for those of us who wonder if we should to work on forming a sleepy habit or not.
Researchers in this case suggest that whether sleep is intentional or not, as well as the duration of sleep, may play a role – these factors have not been measured here, although sleep has been defined as lasting less than two hours and more than five minutes.
Even with the limitations of the study – which is not enough to show cause and effect, just an association – the researchers say it is a useful look at how the nap could act as a kind of mediator between poor health and inflammatory responses. body.
Previous studies have looked in detail at the links between sleep and the immune system, and there have been suggestions that the nap may have an effect here as well.
It is important to remember that health and well-being far outweigh cognitive function, so there is much to consider when it comes to finding out if the nap is actually good for us.
“When a disease or cell damage occurs, the nap can help regulate the inflammatory response,” the researchers write.
This study also looked at triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood of participants.
The results found that regular diapers have higher levels of these lipids than non-diapers – probably because those with a more sedentary lifestyle are more likely to take a nap. This is another area that future research could focus on, the team behind the study suggests.
While nap is generally becoming more common as people get older, scientists are still unsure whether this type of nap during the day can help prevent dementia and other types of cognitive decline. in fact a symptom of it.
At this point, the consensus seems to be that, in general, the nap is usually good for us and there is no doubt that, in general, getting enough sleep and rest is essential to keep our body healthy and well.
And if you’re wondering how widespread the nap was in the study sample, 1,534 people reported taking at least occasional sleep, while 680 didn’t – so if you’re tempted to shut down during the day, you are certainly not alone.
The research was published in General psychiatry.