The youngest, and especially children, do not like naps. Older people like it more. A recent Chinese study explains that the nap allows better mental flexibility after a certain age.
In 2019, we report a Chinese study that concluded that napping in elementary school had many benefits. The study of children aged 10 to 12 showed that the nap after lunch allowed children to have better self-control, a greater sense of happiness, fewer behavioral problems, and therefore a more great academic achievement . What about older people? Another Chinese study published in the journal General Psychiatry January 2, 2021 involved 2,214 people over the age of 60 . The volunteers were asked to describe their sleeping and napping habits before being tested. The objective? Measure their cognitive abilities, in particular their concentration in the context of problem solving.
Study participants did not all have the same durations and frequencies regarding the siesta. However, the analyzes revealed a general trend:volunteers taking regular naps in the middle of the day had better cognitive abilities than the others. The researchers also highlighted better language fluency and better memory.
The conclusion of this study is consistent with those of other studies in China in adults. In 2016, a study concluded that taking a nap in the afternoon could better preserve your cognitive faculties . Other studies – notably American ones – had also made a link between sleep and the immune system. The study of January 2, 2021 also provided an element along the same lines. According to the researchers, an individual suffering from a disease or damage to his cells sees his immune response regulated thanks to the siesta.
The studies cited therefore make it possible to affirm with certainty that when we age, taking regular naps is an act beneficial for our physical and mental health . Note, however, that some people do not manage to take a nap during the day. A good opportunity to get started? Be careful though, some times don't lend themselves to this! In September 2020, a napping man was flashed on the road over 140 km/h while his Tesla Model 3 was on Autopilot!
