Massachusetts Study Links Daytime Naps to Higher Death Risk

Who doesn't enjoy a good nap now and then? I am usually not much of a nap guy, but given the right circumstances, I can curl up in a fetal ball with the best of them and saw wood for an hour.

A nap here and there can recharge the battery, refocus the mind, and energize the spirit, right? Most of the time, anyway.

However, new research from a Massachusetts hospital suggests that napping may not always be as beneficial as we've long believed.

Why Researchers Are Rethinking Daytime Naps

Fox News reported, "Excessive daytime napping is associated with higher mortality risk in older adults, according to Mass General Brigham," which finds that between 20 percent and 60 percent of older adults take naps.

"While occasional naps have been shown to be refreshing, frequent or prolonged daytime napping in this group has been associated with a variety of health concerns," according to Fox News.

What the Massachusetts Study Found

Mass General Brigham's study of older adults found that "excessive napping, especially in the morning, was associated with higher mortality rates."

"New research reveals that as people age, naps may be an easily trackable warning sign of underlying conditions or declining health," according to the report. The study found that "longer, more frequent, and morning naps were associated with higher mortality rates."

Health Conditions Linked to Excessive Napping

"Excessive napping later in life has been linked to neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and even greater morbidity," according to the report.

I have always concluded that napping was a natural part of aging. It is probably due to boredom. Staying active and awake as we grow older might be just what the doctor ordered.

Did someone say, "It's time for BINGO?"