How weekend sleep, naps, and sleeping together improve health
6:34 AM EDT, August 28, 2024
Did you know that longer sleep on weekends, short naps during the day, and sleeping with a partner can significantly improve health? Find out how different types of sleep affect the heart, brain, and overall well-being.
Sleep is one of the most important elements of our lives. Its significance in the body's regenerative processes, improvement of cognitive abilities, and overall psychophysical condition is undeniable. Science confirms that different types of sleep have their unique benefits.
It has been discovered that from longer sleep on weekends, to naps during the day, to sleeping with a partner— all these forms of rest have their unique benefits. It's not just sweet laziness but also specific health benefits.
Longer sleep on weekends and heart health
Who doesn't like to sleep longer on weekends? It turns out that an extra hour of sleep on days off is indeed beneficial for your heart. Scientists from Nanjing Medical University studied over 3,400 adults and discovered that those extra hours of sleep really support health.
The results clearly show that people who allowed themselves longer sleep on weekends had a lower risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. Now we have yet another reason to sleep in on Saturdays.
Naps during the day and brain aging
Who doesn't like short naps? A "Sleep Health" study shows that naps are great for our brain. A team of scientists from University College London analyzed data from nearly 380,000 people and found that our brains love these short breaks for sleep.
People who regularly nap have larger brain volumes, equivalent to 3 to 7 years less ageing. This big discovery tells us that a quick nap is not laziness but an investment in the future of our brain.
Sleeping with a partner and quality of rest
It's not just the length of sleep that matters but also who you sleep with. Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist, points out that sleeping next to a partner brings numerous benefits. Research shows that co-sleeping improves sleep quality and the length of the REM phase, which is crucial for memory and cognitive functions.
Additionally, people who sleep with a partner fall asleep faster and experience less depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. The result? A higher level of life satisfaction. Who are you planning to fall asleep with tonight?
