Napping patterns may be an early warning sign of declining health |
Many people enjoy an afternoon nap, especially as they get older. But if you’ve noticed your naps getting longer or happening at random times, your body might be trying to tell you something important.
A major 8-year study tracked the napping habits of 86,565 adults and discovered that those who died during the study had been napping distinctively from the very beginning, not more frequently but differently.
The warning signs were subtle but consistent. These individuals took longer naps, didn’t have regular nap times, and were more likely to doze off between late morning and early afternoon, rather than at other times of the day. Earlier research already linked longer, more frequent napping to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“Daytime napping patterns could serve as early markers of declining health,” explained Dr. Emer MacSweeney, who reviewed the research. The 2,950 people who died during the study had adopted these distinct napping patterns years before any obvious health problems appeared.
However, researchers stress that napping itself isn’t the problem; indeed, it may be beneficial. But changing sleep patterns may signal underlying health issues that haven't been diagnosed yet, making them potentially valuable early warning signs.
To learn more about the napping patterns and strategies for better nighttime sleep, jump to “Midday naps may be warning signs of poor health.”
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