Taking naps is a healthy habit, but several potential side effects exist. Hypertension is one side effect. However, other studies have shown that naps can improve memory and alertness. Moreover, they can reduce your daytime sleepiness.
Reduces Daytime Sleepiness
Napping is known for its ability to reduce daytime sleepiness and may reduce the need to sleep at night. However, several factors influence the time you need to sleep at night. These factors include diet, screen time, exercise, and sleep quality. In addition, you should avoid napping altogether if you have insomnia or other sleep disorders. These sleep disorders can result in a disrupted sleep-wake cycle and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Improves Memory
It’s been proven that taking naps can improve memory performance. A recent study found that daytime naps can enhance long-term and short-term memory. However, it’s not clear whether this practice can be practical for people. Researchers from the University of Sheffield studied 41 participants and compared their ability to remember information after a short nap with those who did not.
Improves Alertness
Short daytime naps boost attentiveness, according to research. This helps complicated task workers. Studies have also shown that naps help people learn new skills and improve cognitive performance.
Increases Risk of High Blood Pressure
Recent research suggests that naps can increase the risk of stroke and high blood pressure. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that naps are unhealthy. Instead, it may indicate a more significant health issue, such as poor diet or poor sleep habits. To conclude, the study used data from over 360,000 people from the U.K. Biobank, an extensive biomedical database.
Leads to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea sufferers should avoid nighttime naps and restrict them to one or two hours. The same goes for people who use an oral appliance or CPAP machine to treat the disorder. Napping throughout the day refreshes the mind but disrupts your sleep rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep at night. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. You should also limit alcohol intake and avoid using electronics at night. You should also implement a nighttime ritual that helps you relax before going to bed.
Leads to Sleep Inertia
Sleep inertia occurs when you wake up from deep sleep and cannot resume normal activities. The symptoms of sleep inertia vary from person to person, but they include grogginess in the morning and a delayed reaction time. Sleep inertia must be diagnosed and prevented.
This Can Lead to Sleep Apnea
The National Institutes of Health analysis conveys that approximately 15 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Several forms of sleep apnea are characterized by periods of stopped breathing or loud gasping. This disorder increases a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke, and other severe conditions.
