For a long time, the siesta It has been seen as a simple pleasure or a necessity after a bad night’s rest.
However, a recent study conducted by scientists from the University of London and the University of the Republic in Montevideo has shown that this habit is not only beneficial for physical rest, but also has a positive impact on cognitive performance.
Research published in Sleep Health revealed that people between the ages of 40 and 69 who usually sleep naps have larger brains than those who do not nap, which is associated with a greater number of neurons and greater cognitive complexity. In addition, the difference in brain volume between those who nap and those who do not nap could be equivalent to 6.5 years of brain aging, suggesting that naps may help preserve brain health and slow the process of brain atrophy related to aging.
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Las naps Naps have historically been valued as a form of quick and effective rest, but this study adds a new dimension to their benefits. Beyond restoring energy, naps appear to have a direct impact on brain structure, which could influence long-term cognitive ability. This reinforces the idea that sleep is not only crucial at night, but also in short periods during the day.
A siesta Between 10 and 30 minutes is enough to obtain cognitive benefits. During this time, the brain takes advantage to rest and reorganize the information acquired during the day. Specifically, an improvement is observed in short-term memory and in the ability to perform complex tasks that require concentration.
When sleeping, the brain goes through different stages of sleep, and although the siesta short, deep sleep phases are reached that are crucial for the memory consolidation process. In other words, taking a nap allows the brain to “reset” and return to work with greater ability to concentrate and solve problems.
The claims of this research have generated a great deal of debate in the scientific community. While some experts celebrate these findings as a step forward in understanding sleep and brain aging, others urge caution and highlight the need for further studies that delve deeper into how and why sleep disorders affect the brain. naps can have such a significant impact.
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This study highlights the importance of reconsidering the siesta as a valuable tool to improve cognitive performance and combat mental fatigue. Far from being just a luxury, taking a strategic nap can make a difference in daily productivity, memory and learning capacity, becoming a key ally to maintain an agile and energetic mind.
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