“Can Napping Count as Sleep?
A daytime nap is not a replacement for a full night’s sleep. Napping can help relieve fatigue, but it can’t reverse the negative effects of chronic sleep loss.
Sleep plays a critical role in your overall health. Nearly every system in your body needs sleep to function well, from your heart to your immune system. Getting adequate, quality sleep each night helps clear out waste from your brain, keeping your mind sharp during the day.
Your body has two systems that control when and how much you sleep: the circadian rhythm and sleep drive. Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that regulates your body temperature, metabolism, and hormone levels, making you feel sleepy when the sun goes down and more alert as the sun rises. Your sleep drive keeps track of how long you’ve been awake, making you more tired the longer you go without sleep.
As you sleep, your brain remains active. There are four stages of sleep: stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The first three stages are often called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Each stage has a unique pattern of brain activity. For example, dreaming typically occurs during REM sleep while stage 3 is responsible for restorative deep sleep.
In adults, a nap typically includes all the stages of sleep but in different proportions than regular nightly sleep. Naps are a useful stopgap for people who struggle to get enough sleep at night. But health experts agree that napping does not provide the same restorative power as a full night’s rest.
Are There Drawbacks to Napping?
Napping is generally a positive habit that can help fight fatigue, but, in some cases, may worsen nighttime sleep issues or signal an underlying sleep disorder.
Health experts recommend avoiding daytime naps if you regularly experience trouble sleeping at night. Too much napping, especially later in the day, reduces sleep drive, which is the need for sleep that grows stronger the longer you stay awake. This can be an issue for people who regularly have trouble falling asleep, like those who experience insomnia.“
Napping: How Dozing During the Day Affects Your Sleep at Night
Author
Cari