{"id":219154,"date":"2026-04-22T19:56:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T19:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/in-spain-weve-celebrated-the-long-nap-but-scientific-studies-tell-a-different-story\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T19:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T19:56:43","slug":"in-spain-weve-celebrated-the-long-nap-but-scientific-studies-tell-a-different-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/in-spain-weve-celebrated-the-long-nap-but-scientific-studies-tell-a-different-story\/","title":{"rendered":"In Spain, We’ve Celebrated the Long Nap\u2014But Scientific Studies Tell a Different Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The siesta is, for many, a fundamental pillar of the Mediterranean lifestyle and an essential pleasure during the afternoon to endure the rest of the day. However, scientific evidence has put this habit under scrutiny, especially when naps last several hours and even allow time for dreaming. The duration, frequency, and age of individuals have significant implications on health outcomes related to napping.<\/p>\n

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The Border of Time<\/h2>\n

The current scientific consensus draws a clear line between the classic power nap and those longer naps that might tempt you to don your pajamas and settle into bed for hours. This boundary is marked at the 30-minute mark; exceeding this may lead to noticeable health changes. <\/p>\n

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Impact of Long Naps<\/h3>\n

A recent study from the University of Murcia analyzed over 3,000 adults in a Mediterranean context to assess the effects of napping. The findings revealed that spending more than 30 minutes napping was associated with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), increased incidence of obesity, and a greater likelihood of metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension.<\/p>\n

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Cardiovascular Concerns<\/h2>\n

When it comes to cardiovascular health, the implications can be serious. The European Society of Cardiology presented data indicating that naps lasting longer than 30 minutes could nearly double the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Supporting this, the American Heart Association reported that naps longer than an hour could increase the rate of cardiovascular disease by 1.82 times.<\/p>\n

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The Age Factor<\/h2>\n

One of the most noteworthy studies published in JAMA<\/em> followed 1,338 older adults for 19 years, objectively measuring their sleep habits. Results indicated that longer and more frequent daytime naps, particularly those concentrated in the morning, were linked to higher mortality rates. Specifically, each additional hour of daytime sleep was found to increase the risk of mortality by 13%.<\/p>\n

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More Research Needed<\/h2>\n

Current studies reveal that no clear correlation exists to assure that someone who naps for three hours each day will remain unaffected. The need for excessive daytime sleep could indicate underlying issues, such as poor nighttime rest or sleep disorders like sleep apnea.<\/p>\n

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The Benefits of Short Naps<\/h2>\n

Despite the potential downsides, short naps of less than 30 minutes can be beneficial. They have been shown to improve cognitive performance and provide a much-needed energy boost for the remainder of the day. However, planning a lengthy nap should be avoided.<\/p>\n

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As we navigate the delicate balance of rest and activity, it’s essential to heed these insights from scientific research while appreciating the cultural significance of the siesta. With informed choices, we can enjoy the occasional nap while prioritizing our health.<\/p>\n

Images | Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n

In Xataka | Sleeping four hours a day and performing at your best is not a myth; it is a genetic rarity affecting just 1% of the population.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The siesta is, for many, a fundamental pillar of the Mediterranean lifestyle and an essential pleasure during the afternoon to endure the rest of the day. However, scientific evidence has put this habit under scrutiny, especially when naps last several hours and even allow time for dreaming. The duration, frequency, and age of individuals have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36399],"tags":[2450,395,51557,10463,1694,11301,5032,10731],"class_list":["post-219154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology","tag-celebrated","tag-long","tag-napbut","tag-scientific","tag-spain","tag-story","tag-studies","tag-weve"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}