Even though naps are a healthy habit, there are some potential drawbacks. One of these adverse effects is an increased risk of high blood pressure. However, other studies have found that naps can improve memory and alertness. In addition, they help you feel less tired during the day.
Improves Awareness
Studies have shown that day napping improves attention. This is helpful for those who work on challenging assignments. Studies have also shown that naps enhance cognitive function and facilitate learning new skills.
High Blood Pressure Risk
According to recent studies, sleeping may increase your heart attack and high blood pressure risk. However, this does not suggest that naps are bad for you. Instead, it may be a cue of a more significant health issue, such as a poor diet or insufficient sleep. The U.K. Biobank, a major biomedical database, was used to look at information from more than 360,000 individuals, and this analysis formed the basis for the study’s conclusions.
It Causes Sleep Apnea
Patients with sleep apnea should avoid taking naps at night and limit them to no more than one or two hours. The same applies to people who use an oral appliance or a CPAP machine to control their illness. Even though having a nap during the day improves focus and alertness, it will also disrupt your sleep schedule and make it more taxing to fall asleep at night. Losing sleep can also increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. It would help if you also forwent too much alcohol and using electronics after dark. You can also establish a consistent stress-relieving nighttime routine.
Can Cause Drowsiness
Sleep inertia is the inability to pick up where you left off after waking from a deep sleep. Depending on the individual, sleep inertia symptoms might range from morning grogginess to a delayed reaction time. Therefore, it’s essential to identify the reasons for sleep inertia and take preventative measures if you do.
Could Lead to Sleep Apnea
The National Institutes of Health declares that over 15 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Intervals of stopped breathing or loud gasping are characteristics of the numerous kinds of sleep apnea. This issue raises the risk of acquiring heart disease, stroke, and other severe disorders.
Reduces Daytime Sleepiness
The act of napping is likely to reduce daytime sleepiness and reduce the need for evening sleep. However, various factors affect how much sleep you need at night. These factors include diet, screen time, exercise, and sleep quality. Avoid naps if you have trouble sleeping due to insomnia or other sleep issues. Specific sleep problems can result in an irregular sleep-wake cycle and excessive daytime tiredness.
Improves Memory
It has been shown that taking naps improves memory. Recent research has demonstrated that daytime naps enhance both long-term and short-term memory. However, whether this approach will genuinely help people is still being determined. Researchers from the University of Sheffield studied 41 individuals and contrasted how well they remembered information after a brief nap with how well they did not.
