What Your Need for Naps Might Mean as You Age

An occasional nap can be normal, but changes in daytime sleep may signal more than simple fatigue. As we age, lighter nighttime sleep and earlier mornings can make afternoon rest feel increasingly natural. However, a steady increase in daytime sleep may be worth paying attention to, as it could reflect underlying changes in health.

According to new research, regularly taking long daytime naps, especially in the morning, may be linked to a higher risk of death from any cause. Short afternoon naps can still be healthy and refreshing, but frequent or lengthy daytime sleep may signal that something deeper is going on. The research suggests that when napping becomes too frequent or prolonged, it may reflect underlying health conditions rather than simply a need for extra rest.

Scientists gathered objective sleep data from a group of older adults by monitoring 1,338 retired participants over a 10-day period that wore wrist trackers. They measured not only how frequently people napped, but also the timing, duration, and day-to-day variability of those naps. Most volunteers were women, and the average participant was 81 years old.

Longer, more frequent, and earlier naps were all tied to higher mortality risk. Each extra hour of daytime sleep increased risk by 13%, each added daily nap by 7%, and morning napping was linked to a roughly 30% greater risk than afternoon napping.

Researchers emphasize that naps themselves are not harmful. However, longer, more frequent, or earlier naps may be a sign that something else is going on. Rather than just a habit, daytime sleep may sometimes act as a warning signal.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Objectively Measured Daytime Napping Patterns and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults