Afternoon naps offer more than just rest—they support heart health and help prevent high blood pressure, according to research conducted at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.
In the study, 85 healthy students were divided into two groups. One group completed a stress test followed by a nap, while the other took the same test but remained awake.
The participants who napped for at least 45 minutes showed significantly lower blood pressure compared to those who did not nap. This suggests a short afternoon nap effectively lowers blood pressure, particularly after stressful events.
Finally, stress relief at last
Less sleep overall
Researchers also noted that, on average, people now sleep about two hours less per night than they did 50 years ago—a trend linked to higher risks of high blood pressure and heart disease.
