Regular 20-minute daytime naps can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by about one third and thereby increase life expectancy. This was reported by National Geographic researcher Dan Buettner, who studies the lifestyles of long-lived people, in a video published on TikTok and cited by the Daily Mirror.
Buettner referred to medical research data showing that short daytime naps lasting around 20 minutes several times a week are associated with a noticeable reduction in strain on the heart and blood vessels. Doctors link this effect to lower stress levels and recovery of the central nervous system (CNS).
According to the researcher, the habit of sleeping after lunch is widespread in Greece — one of the countries with a high number of people living to 100 years or more. He noted that such simple and enjoyable practices often form the basis of longevity.
“The best ways to extend life are those that simultaneously improve its quality and bring pleasure. An afternoon nap is one of them,” he emphasized.
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