WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Beauty
  • Podcasts
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Beauty
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She'd Tell Her Younger Self
Watch 1:48

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She'd Tell Her Younger Self

{headline}

{headline}

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

Study Finds Negative People Are More Likely To Sleep Poorly

Study Finds Negative People Are More Likely To Sleep Poorly

This Common Bedtime Habit Is Making You Gain Weight

This Common Bedtime Habit Is Making You Gain Weight

Is Eating Before Bed Actually That Bad For You?

Is Eating Before Bed Actually That Bad For You?

{headline}

{headline}

A Nutritionist's Guide To Recharging Your Batteries

A Nutritionist's Guide To Recharging Your Batteries

Lea Michele Shares The Telling Sign She Was Suffering From PCOS

Lea Michele Shares The Telling Sign She Was Suffering From PCOS

The One Thing You Need To Be Doing Every Morning

The One Thing You Need To Be Doing Every Morning

{headline}

{headline}

This Simple Shower Hack Could Help You Sleep Better At Night

This Simple Shower Hack Could Help You Sleep Better At Night

8 Super-Random Things That Could Be Giving You High Blood Pressure

8 Super-Random Things That Could Be Giving You High Blood Pressure

Brushing Your Teeth Three Times Per Day May Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Failure

Brushing Your Teeth Three Times Per Day May Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Failure

'I Lived By The 80-20 Rule—And I Lost 31kg'

'I Lived By The 80-20 Rule—And I Lost 31kg'

Leading Aussie Dietitian Claims Eating Banana Skins Will Help You Lose Weight

Leading Aussie Dietitian Claims Eating Banana Skins Will Help You Lose Weight

The Eating And Exercise Habits Behind Elsa Pataky’s Seriously Strong Physique

The Eating And Exercise Habits Behind Elsa Pataky’s Seriously Strong Physique

3 Natural And Effective Sleeping Aids

3 Natural And Effective Sleeping Aids

  1. Home
  2. Sleep

Study Finds Napping Is *Actually* Good For Your Health

Don’t need to tell us twice. - by Lucy Bode
  • 11 Mar 2019
Study Finds Napping Is *Actually* Good For Your Health

Sleep is good for your health – yeah, yeah. You’ve heard it before. But before your eyes glaze over, know this: you don’t necessarily need a full eight hours to reap the benefits.

After collecting data from 212 people, scientists in Greece found that taking an hour-long kip daily can help lower your blood pressure. And considering that hypertension (aka, high blood pressure) has been proven to increase the risk of all kinds of health conditions (e.g. heart disease and stroke), it’s a solid reason to schedule a snooze.

RELATED: PSA: A New Nap Bar Has Opened And We Are So Excited

Wake Up Applause GIF by Originals - Find & Share on GIPHY

For the study, doctors at Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula tracked the progress of patients with hypertension using blood pressure monitors. At the end of the experiment, they noticed that those who had slept for an hour each day experienced an average drop of 3mm in HG blood pressure, compared to those who skipped their nap.  

“Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5mm Hg,” explained the study’s co-author Dr Manolis Kallistratos.

“Based on our findings, if someone has the luxury to take a nap during the day, it may also have benefits for high blood pressure.”

BRB, gotta go find a quiet place to rest our eyes (sorry, Boss.)

Bored Kim Kardashian GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

RELATED: Science Says Napping Will Make You Happier

  • Health
  • Sleep
Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is Women Health’s digital editor, social media specialist and the go-to girl for all things holistic wellness. Her background as a journalist and passion for food, fitness and integrative medicine has led her to write for some of Australia’s leading publications over the course of her career.

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

when you subscribe to Women's Health

Subscribe Now
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

when you subscribe to Women's Health

Subscribe Now
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack

Recommended to you

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She'd Tell Her Younger Self
Watch 1:48

Pro Surfer Laura Enever On What She'd Tell Her Younger Self

{headline}

{headline}

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

Study Finds Negative People Are More Likely To Sleep Poorly

Study Finds Negative People Are More Likely To Sleep Poorly

This Common Bedtime Habit Is Making You Gain Weight

This Common Bedtime Habit Is Making You Gain Weight

Is Eating Before Bed Actually That Bad For You?

Is Eating Before Bed Actually That Bad For You?

{headline}

{headline}

A Nutritionist's Guide To Recharging Your Batteries

A Nutritionist's Guide To Recharging Your Batteries

Lea Michele Shares The Telling Sign She Was Suffering From PCOS

Lea Michele Shares The Telling Sign She Was Suffering From PCOS

The One Thing You Need To Be Doing Every Morning

The One Thing You Need To Be Doing Every Morning

{headline}

{headline}

This Simple Shower Hack Could Help You Sleep Better At Night

This Simple Shower Hack Could Help You Sleep Better At Night

8 Super-Random Things That Could Be Giving You High Blood Pressure

8 Super-Random Things That Could Be Giving You High Blood Pressure

Brushing Your Teeth Three Times Per Day May Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Failure

Brushing Your Teeth Three Times Per Day May Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Failure

'I Lived By The 80-20 Rule—And I Lost 31kg'

'I Lived By The 80-20 Rule—And I Lost 31kg'

Leading Aussie Dietitian Claims Eating Banana Skins Will Help You Lose Weight

Leading Aussie Dietitian Claims Eating Banana Skins Will Help You Lose Weight

The Eating And Exercise Habits Behind Elsa Pataky’s Seriously Strong Physique

The Eating And Exercise Habits Behind Elsa Pataky’s Seriously Strong Physique

3 Natural And Effective Sleeping Aids

3 Natural And Effective Sleeping Aids

WomensHealth
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
WomensHealth Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines
Get more from Women's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE aim'n Fitness Pack-SAVE 25%

Shop This Offer
FREE aim'n Fitness Pack