Napping helps recharge the brain, improve memory, and reduce the risk of dementia. While there are many benefits to working from home, one of those benefits may be our ability to use the traditional afternoon lunch break to take a pleasant nap.
A new study has found that regularly napping in the afternoon may be beneficial for the brain and help maintain cognitive abilities. Co-author of the study, Dr. Lin Sun, states: "Regular afternoon napping may be associated with better mental acuity, as well as improved awareness of reality, enhanced verbal fluency, and memory sharpening that protects against dementia."
The chance of an individual developing dementia increases with age due to certain natural neurodegenerative changes that accompany aging. In developed countries, about one in ten people over the age of 65 suffers from some form of these health conditions. Cognitive decline can lead to memory loss, speech difficulties, and even problems with controlling vehicles and daily tools. Researchers explain: "As people age, their sleep patterns change, with an increased frequency of afternoon napping. However, research published to date has not reached a consensus on whether afternoon naps help ward off cognitive decline and dementia in older adults or whether they may, in fact, be a symptom of dementia."
Reportedly, this new study examined 2,214 healthy individuals living in several major cities across China. A total of 1,534 of them took a regular afternoon nap post-lunch, while 680 did not. All participants underwent a series of health tests and cognitive assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) that monitors dementia. Apart from regular napping periods, the group's average nighttime sleep was about 6.5 hours. The study surveyed participants about how often they napped during the week, ranging from once a week to daily. The dementia assessment included 30 components that measured the cognitive abilities of participants, including visuospatial skills, working memory, attention span, problem-solving, situational awareness, and verbal fluency. The study's authors reported that MMSE scores were significantly higher among those who napped compared to those who did not, as well as notable differences in awareness and verbal fluency.
### Are Naps Anti-Inflammatory?
The researchers involved in the study acknowledge that their findings are observational and that the study did not pinpoint exactly how napping benefits the brain. Nevertheless, it offers some possible explanations for the positive mental changes. In fact, one theory posits that inflammation is the mediator between midday napping and poor health outcomes. The research team concluded that inflammatory chemicals play an important role in sleep disorders. Sleep regulates the body's immune response, and it is believed that napping is considered an evolved response to inflammation, especially since individuals with high levels of inflammation tend to sleep longer.
