LONGER and more frequent daytime napping, particularly in the morning, is tied to higher all-cause mortality, a 2026 prospective cohort study has found.1
Tracking Sleep Patterns
Researchers used data from the Rush University Memory and Aging Project, which began in 1997 and studies cognitive abilities and neurodegeneration in over-55s from northern Illinois, with a follow-up of up to 19 years.
Researchers tracked 1,338 adults with a mean follow-up of 8.3 years.
Participants wore an actigraphy device, a wrist-worn wearable sensor that monitors movement and rest patterns, for an average of 9.58 days.
Duration and Frequency Linked to Increased Mortality
After adjustment for all covariates, longer daytime nap duration and higher nap frequency were associated with increased mortality.
Longer daytime napping was tied to an approximate 13% increase in mortality per one hour increase in duration.
More frequent naps were associated with around a 7% increase in mortality per additional daily nap.
Further, those who napped in the morning had a higher mortality risk than those who napped in the afternoon.
Morning and afternoon fatigue could stem from distinct underlying conditions, potentially explaining the heightened risk, researchers reported.
Mounting Evidence for Risk Management
Between 20% and 60% of older adults nap during the day.2
Brief naps can immediately improve alertness and reduce fatigue,3 however, excessive napping has been shown to heighten risk of adverse health outcomes, including neurodegeneration and cardiovascular diseases.4, 5
Findings aligned with emerging evidence linking napping and mortality risk.
Hence, researchers pointed to the value of smart wearables, that monitor daytime sleep patterns, in opening new doors for early risk identification in clinical practice.
References
1 Gao C et al. Objectively measured daytime napping patterns and all-cause mortality in older adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.7938.
2 Zhang Z et al. Napping in older adults: a review of current literature. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 20202;6(3):129–135.
3 Mesas AE et al. Is daytime napping an effective strategy to improve sport-related cognitive and physical performance and reduce fatigue? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(7):417-426.
4 Sun J et al. Daytime napping and cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and mortality: a systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2022;DOI:10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101682.
5 Li P et al. Daytime napping and Alzheimer’s dementia: a potential bidirectional relationship. Alzheimers Dement. 2023;19(1):158–168.
Featured image: Viktor Koldunov on Adobe Stock
