We know that quality sleep during nighttime has tremendous health benefits. But quick naps in the afternoon is also beneficial.
Today, many people are suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure. The findings in the new study can be of great help to these people instead of taking high blood pressure medications that come with side-effects.
In the past, in fact, even today, we encourage pre-schoolers to take naps during the afternoon. It is helpful for their growth along with good quality sleep every night.
However, the new study says that an afternoon nap has another benefit. Researchers say that taking afternoon naps of less than an hour is beneficial for maintaining an ideal blood pressure level. Hence, people who have are hypertensive can benefit from this natural way of lowering their blood pressure.
Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 mm Hg
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The New Findings Support Earlier Recommendations
Earlier recommendations also suggest taking a nap to reduce blood pressure. And, the new study simply supports it and even if we don’t suffer from hypertension, taking afternoon naps can have other health benefits, as well.
In this recent study, researchers say that, taking a nap during a day account to an average 5 mmHg drop in blood pressure. Furthermore, researchers say that napping during the day is just as effective as blood pressure lowering drugs.
Moreover, combining a daily afternoon nap with a 30-minute walking exercise routine can further boost its effectiveness.
Make It Part Of A Healthy Lifestyle
While following the recommendations based on study findings, doing it without considering other factors may not be totally effective.
Other factors including good nutrition or proper diet are highly essential. In one study, researchers found that doing regular intermittent fasting is not only good for weight loss but also for lowering blood pressure.
Manolis Kallistratos, MD, one of the co-authors of the study and a cardiologist at the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece says in a press release;
These findings are important because a drop in blood pressure as small as 2 mm Hg can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack by up to 10 percent. Based on our findings, if someone has the luxury to take a nap during the day, it may also have benefits for high blood pressure. Napping can be easily adopted and typically doesn’t cost anything.