Researchers at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine are set to report that specific napping behaviors may be associated with a higher likelihood of early death. A study analyzing data from over 86,500 participants in the UK Biobank project found that individuals who took longer daytime naps, had irregular nap patterns, or napped between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. faced an elevated risk of premature mortality. These findings challenge the popular notion of the “power nap” and suggest that longer naps can lead to grogginess. Further research is needed to explore the potential risks of napping during midday and early afternoon. The study will be presented at the AASM’s annual meeting in Seattle. (Upi)
