22/09/2025
A large-scale brain imaging study conducted in the UK has shown that short naps during the day can preserve brain volume, the equivalent of reducing aging by nearly six years. Using MRI scans of more than 35,000 people, researchers compared habitual nappers to those who rarely nap. They found that consistent napping was linked to larger volumes of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex — regions responsible for learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
This is groundbreaking because brain shrinkage, especially in these areas, is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Even short naps of 20–30 minutes can recharge memory consolidation, stabilize mood, and improve decision-making. In fact, NASA once studied pilots and found that a 26-minute nap improved alertness by 54% and performance by 34%.
Interestingly, while Mediterranean and Asian cultures have long embraced siestas, Western societies often see napping as laziness. But science is now flipping that narrative, showing naps are a form of preventive brain medicine. Sleep experts warn against long naps, which can lead to grogginess or insomnia, but short structured naps may soon become part of healthcare recommendations.
