(GoHealthier.com)
An afternoon nap is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Nothing feels better than curling up under your favorite blanket with your dog or your spouse for a snooze in the post-noon sun after a productive morning and delicious lunch.
But there’s just one issue…
Research shows that napping too long could send your risk of high blood pressure and weight gain through the roof!
Here’s exactly what to do to prevent this from happening to you.
In a new study, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston assessed the napping habits and health of more than 3,000 adults, looking for a link between nap length and metabolic diseases.
The results showed that folks who napped 30 minutes or longer at midday were more likely to develop high blood pressure and obesity – two of the key drivers behind diabetes- than those who didn’t nap.
And when they drilled down into the data, they found that folks taking shorter naps were also less likely to have elevated systolic (top number) blood pressure.
YIKES!
This means taking a nap of 30 minutes or more can set you up for serious health issues!
Researchers believe long naps impact your health by interfering with your circadian rhythm – your body’s natural body clock. These disruptions can create hormone imbalances, and digestive issues trigger blood pressure issues and weight gain.
But you don’t have to give up your afternoon snooze.
You see, another study shows that taking a 20-minute nap can actually SINK your blood pressure by five points – about the same impact as a low-dose blood pressure drug.
So, keep your naps in the routine. Just make sure they don’t last longer than 20 minutes.
Your waistline and blood pressure will thank you.
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