Nap: Is It Good Or Bad For Your Health?

Sometimes perceived as negative and associated with laziness, the nap is now rehabilitated and even practiced in companies. This break, which is a way for the body and mind to recharge, allows employees to increase their work capacity, concentration, and effectiveness.

"What is a nap?"

Nap is a rest time taken in the middle of the day, usually after lunch.

Different scientific evaluations have proven the existence of a decrease in vigilance in the early afternoon.

This phenomenon, increased in case of heavy meal or lack of sleep, is part of the endogenous mechanisms of our body, regulated by our biological clock.

What are the benefits of napping for adults?

Nap has beneficial effects on health: it allows reducing the level of stress and improving brain activity in terms of vigilance, concentration, and creativity.

Some employers have understood the interest in improving the productivity of their employees.

Note: In small doses, this daytime rest time has no negative impact on the quality of nighttime sleep; on the contrary, it would improve it. That's why many sleep specialists want to rehabilitate the practice of napping.

According to a study published in Sleep Health in June 2023, there would be a link between regular naps and brain volume. With age, this organ tends to decrease in volume and atrophy, but taking a nap would slow down this process!

"Our results suggest that, for some people, short naps may be one of the factors that could help preserve brain health as we age," explains Victoria Garfield, one of the authors of this study.

Even if the positive or negative effects of this practice on health are still widely debated in the scientific community, you can take advantage of your lunch break to relax and/or take a nap...

What is the best time for a nap?

According to our biological clock, which varies little from one individual to another, early afternoon (around 2 pm) is a period of lower vigilance.

This is the ideal time to rest: 20 to 40 minutes are enough to enjoy the benefits of a nap.

Note: some people practice the power nap of only a few minutes to regain concentration and energy.

Even if you are not a fan of napping, it is recommended not to fight against drowsiness: on the contrary, do not hesitate to take a short break and a moment of relaxation!