The Siesta: How Midday Naps May Add Years to Your Life
The more naps you take, the more awakenings you experience.
Aging In Place
Move over green juice, your most powerful longevity hack might just be a nap.
For centuries, cultures around the world, from Spain and Italy to parts of Latin America and the Middle East, have embraced the art of the midday nap, or siesta. Now, modern science is catching up to what our ancestors instinctively knew: resting during the day may be key to living a longer, healthier life.
In a landmark study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that people who took regular siestas had a 37% lower risk of heart-related death, especially among working men.
Other studies have shown that short naps (between 20 and 45 minutes) can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels (a major stress hormone), and boost cognitive function, all essential ingredients for long-term well-being.
Siestas are more than a break; they’re a biological reset button. In societies that embrace them, there’s a noticeable reduction in stress-related illnesses and improved mental health in older adults. It’s no surprise that regions with strong siesta cultures often show higher-than-average life expectancies.
The takeaway? Giving yourself permission to pause midday isn’t laziness, it’s longevity. So go ahead, curl up with a blanket and let your body do its healing work. Your heart, and your future self, will thank you.
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