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A recent study investigated the connection between cognition and afternoon napping in Chinese adults and it found that taking naps might help to keep the brain sharp. The study was a cross-sectional cohort study that included over 2,900 participants that were 65 years of age or older.

The data included interview-based cognitive assessments of the participants, with regard to their orientation, episodic memory, attention, and visuospatial abilities. They also looked at a combined global cognition score that included the assessment details that they were examining. 

There was 4 categories of nappers: non-nappers (0 mins), short (<30 mins), moderate(30-90 mins), and extended (over 90 mins).

# Cognitive function was seen to be strongly associated with napping. 

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### Researchers considered a number of factors that might influence the benefit of daytime napping: frequency, duration, timing, whether or not it was planned etc.

Moderate nappers were seen to have better overall cognition than non-nappers and extended nappers. And the non-nappers also showed to have very poor cognition compared to short nappers. Both moderate and short post-lunch napping showed better results than extended or non-nappers, but self-reporting measures and cross-sectional design limit the findings. 

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## According to a review on studies pertaining to napping and cognition, the most popular time for a post-lunch nap is between 1:00pm – 4:00pm because it's believed that naps during this time period are more restorative.

The association between napping and cognition, is an area which scientists are still working to more thoroughly understand.  More longitudinal research in this area is needed in the future, in order to have a better idea of just how the napping duration might effect cognition.

Previous research has also investigated the link between napping and cognition and there are varying views/results on just what kind of impact napping might have. Some studies have shown that longer napping might prompt cognitive impairment, while conflicting studies argue the contrary; that there are benefits to be had from long naps. Daytime napping is also believed to negatively impact nighttime sleeping, but the present study first mentioned above in this post,  found that out of those who slept for the longest during the day for their nap, they also slept the longest at night time as well. 

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It's clear that there are some conflicting details when it comes to just how taking a nap might impact our life, such as our sleep patterns, cognitive abilities, and so on. But there are many who still find great benefit in taking a quick nap whenever they can find time during the day. Future studies might want to look into examining the specific duration of the nap and the possible association between cognition. 

Pics:
pixabay
giphy
tech.co
Sources:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/naps-and-your-brain-take-afternoon-snooze-stay-sharp-407962?rel=most_shared1
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.14368/full
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/afternoon-nap-short-sleep-help-job-worker-performance-thinking-memory-skills-employee-pennsylvania-a7513301.html