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Exploring the Link Between Daytime Napping and Mortality Risk
A significant new study suggests a potential connection between daytime napping and an increased risk of early death. The research, which examined the sleep patterns of over 86,000 healthy, middle-aged participants, revealed that regular nappers—especially those who nap in the early afternoon—may face a higher mortality risk compared to those who abstain from daytime sleep.
The Study’s Key Findings on Napping Habits
Presented at the SLEEP 2025 conference, the study demonstrated that frequent nappers experienced an elevated risk of death, with the risk climbing up to 20 percent. Experts propose that excessive daytime sleepiness could signal underlying health issues, such as:
- Disrupted or poor-quality sleep at night
- Sleep disorders
- Dementia
- Heart failure
Expert Commentary on Napping and Health
Professor James Rowley, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, emphasized the importance of incorporating questions about napping habits into routine medical inquiries. He suggests doctors should proactively ask patients about their napping habits to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their overall health.
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Study Methodology and Participant Demographics
The study focused on middle-aged individuals without major health issues or night shift work. This careful selection aimed to minimize external factors contributing to daytime sleepiness, isolating the potential link between napping and mortality. Participants’ sleep patterns were monitored using actigraphy, a method employing a watch-like device to track sleep-wake cycles over a week.
Defining Daytime Napping and Duration
- Daytime napping was defined as sleep occurring between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Participants napped for an average duration of 24 minutes.
- Approximately one-third of naps occurred in the morning, between 9 and 11 a.m.
Mortality Rates and Lifestyle Adjustments
During an 11-year follow-up period, 5,189 participants died. Researchers observed an increase in nap duration and later timing as participants aged. After accounting for lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and nighttime sleep duration, the study revealed:
- Inconsistent napping routines were linked to a 14 percent increase in mortality risk.
- The highest mortality risk was observed in individuals with the longest daytime naps.
- Napping between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. correlated with a seven percent increase in risk.
Researcher Insights on Napping and Health Risk
Professor Chenlu Gao, lead researcher from Harvard Medical School, highlighted the significance of nap duration, consistency, and timing as potential indicators of future health risks. She notes that while previous studies have primarily focused on nighttime sleep and mortality, napping is a crucial component of the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle with its own health implications.
Further Research and Potential Explanations
The researchers urge further investigation to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the observed associations. They suggest that longer or more irregular naps could indicate underlying health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and dementia.
Some experts propose that the impact of daytime napping on circadian rhythms—the body’s natural sleep-wake cycles—may contribute to these findings. Additionally, daytime sleep could hinder the brain’s ability to clear waste accumulated during waking hours.
Links to Dementia Risk Factors
These napping findings coincide with a previous study highlighting that nearly half of all Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented by addressing 14 lifestyle factors, including hearing loss, high cholesterol, vision loss, and lack of exercise. Experts suggest these findings offer increased hope for preventing the debilitating effects of dementia.
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