.A recent study in Greece published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that siesta is good for the heart. They studied 23,681 apparently normal and healthy population and their behaviors regarding siesta time.
They were followed up for 6.3yrs and after controlling for cofounders, they found that those who regularly take a 30minute siesta at least 3x/week had a 37% lower mortality rate compared to those that did not. Those irregularly taking siesta defined as those taking less than 3x/week had a 12% risk reduction only. There is an inverse relationship between siesta time and major adverse cadiovascular effects. This maybe explained by the lowered sympathetic response during the rest period..
This data seems to suggest that lifestyle modification should not only include dietary modification, BP control, lipid control and regular exercise but also a regular dose of rest as well. Naps make us feel reenergized and obviously with this study there is more to it and that siesta is at least safe.
