Napping during the day could help older people keep mentally sharp by reducing brain shrinkage. From the age of 35, the brain shrinks by 0.2% to 0.5% per year, and by even more after the age of 60. This can contribute to “senior moments" (memory lapses) and cognitive impairment. A recent study suggests that people who make a habit of napping during the day have a larger brain volume, meaning their brain may shrink less over time. Compared to people who don’t nap, regular nappers could have a brain that’s 2½ to 6½ years younger on average. That’s because naps allow people to catch up on vital sleep, which can be of poorer quality past middle age. Statistics show that more than a quarter of people over 65 nap during the day, and there’s evidence that those naps can be as little as 15 minutes and provide major benefits. The optimal time for a nap — whether it's a 15-minute nap or a 3-hour nap — is right after lunch.
