Scientific research: Sleeping at these hours rejuvenates the brain

A 2023 study showed that those who take regular naps are not only more likely to have better brain health, but also a younger brain.

DATA COLLECTED FROM 378,000 PEOPLE

The research was conducted using data collected from 378,000 people between the ages of 40 and 69.

Some people have a genetic predisposition to daytime sleepiness. Experts have found that these people have larger brain volumes than others, a sign that is often associated with better brain health.

IT ENLARGES BRAIN VOLUME

Valentina Paz, lead author of the study, noted that people who slept during the day had a total brain volume of 15.8 cm³, which is above average.

According to research, a well-timed afternoon nap can help rejuvenate your brain by up to 6.5 years.

WHAT IS THE IDEAL TIME FOR A NAPPING NAP?

According to research, the best time to sleep is between 1 and 4 in the afternoon.

Afternoon naps should not last more than 10-15 minutes. This is because taking long naps can make you feel groggy during the day and reduce the efficiency of your night's sleep.

Just as timely naps can reduce brain age, a 15-minute afternoon nap can boost your mental performance and provide mental stimulation that can last up to three hours, according to the BBC.

A 2016 study of people ages 65 and older found that napping for 30 to 90 minutes had cognitive benefits, compared with not sleeping at all or sleeping longer.

DOES AFTERNOON NAP SLOW DOWN THE AGING OF THE BRAIN?

Some scientists cite some drawbacks to this study, claiming that the study only shows a correlation between daytime naps and brain size, and that larger brains are not the result of tactical naps.

Others point out that the study focused on people who were genetically predisposed to sleep during the day, rather than those who actually tended to sleep during the day.

However, while the data seems to be giving positive signs that napping during the day may keep your brain healthier and reduce brain age as a result, more studies and tests are needed to find a definitive answer to the napping brain age question, according to the latest research.