Afternoon naps, also known as siestas, are common in many cultures, especially in warm climates. While a short rest during the day can be beneficial for some people, taking long afternoon naps can have negative effects on your health. If you find that you need to take a nap during the day, limit it to no more than 30 minutes to avoid disrupting your natural sleep cycle. We have compiled a list of the ill effects of long afternoon naps on your health.
Disrupts Sleep at Night
Taking a long nap during the afternoon can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. A nap that lasts more than an hour or two can make it difficult for your body to know when it's time to sleep, and as a result, it can disrupt your natural sleep cycle. This can cause you to feel groggy and tired the next day.
Causes Insomnia
Long afternoon naps can cause insomnia, a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you take a nap that lasts more than 90 minutes, it can cause your body to enter deep sleep, which can make it difficult to fall asleep later.
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Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Taking long afternoon naps can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. A study conducted in 2019 found that people who took afternoon naps for longer than 90 minutes had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Can Lead to Obesity
Long afternoon naps can contribute to weight gain and obesity. This is because napping for long periods during the day can disrupt your body's natural hunger signals, leading you to overeat later in the day.
Worsens Depression and Anxiety
Long naps in the afternoon can make depression and anxiety symptoms worse. It may be challenging to fall asleep at night if you sleep during the day because it will interfere with your regular sleep cycle. You can become more nervous and depressed as a result of this.
Causes Headaches
Long afternoon naps can cause headaches, particularly if you nap for longer than 90 minutes. This is because your body can enter deep sleep during this time, causing your brain to release chemicals that can trigger headaches.
