Short Afternoon Naps May Aid Cognitive Function As We Age

[Julieanne]

Robby Berman
February 3 2021

• A study of older adults in China finds a clear association between brief afternoon naps and stronger cognitive function.
• Short, less frequent naps — lasting less than 30 minutes, four times a week — may be the most helpful.

Sleep patterns often change as we age, with many older people adding an afternoon snooze to their daily schedule. The meaning of such naps has been unclear: Do they help keep the mind agile, or do they signify incipient dementia? A new study may have the answer.


Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...740408e9475469

[Islander]

That's interesting, because in the last week or 10 days my body has been asking for a nap shortly after lunch. Usually it doesn't last longer than a half an hour although occasionally I may sleep a bit longer. For someone who has contended with insomnia for much of her life, it's an odd feeling to be actually sleepy, especially at a predictable hour in the day, but that's what's happening to me. And according to this article, that's a good thing.

[Pattypans]

Having lived in South America for so long, I have an ingrained nap habit. When my work schedule allows, I take a short nap.

According to an Argentine friend, Peron used to say that naps are good, because a person gets to start the day twice, ha. But that's only true if the nap is long and deep, which mine usually aren't. Years ago we lived in San Juan, a provincial capital in Argentina. Stores actually closed for several hours at lunchtime, to accommodate the siesta.

[Islander]

From what I have read, closing business for several hours after a leisurely lunch is common in many countries in tropical or semi tropical zones. There's time for a refreshing nap, while you avoid the heat of the day. When shops re-open, they tend to stay open later to make up for the lost hours. Sounds very sensible to me. In fact in recent months I seem to get sleepy right after lunch, and do something I've never done before in my life: take a short nap!