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A new study: No time to sleep – do these things to survive
23.12.2023 14:50
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:21
Sometimes people find themselves in situations when they just can't afford a proper sleep - so what can they do?
New research tried to find the best way to combat drowsiness and fatigue during a 16-hour overnight duty.
Also, their results can be quite useful for new parents.
What they've found
The testing revealed that having two nap sessions is better than one long nap.
A 90-minute nap followed by a quick 30-minute nap is the best choice to fight off drowsiness and fatigue.
The research focused on nurses in Japan who usually have up to two hours for napping during 16-hour night shifts.
The goal was to find the most effective nap schedule to fight sleepiness and maintain cognitive function.
The team of scientists discovered that people who had two naps, one lasting 1,5 hours until midnight and another for 0,5 hours until 3 a.m., remained less drowsy until 6 a.m. compared to those who took a single 120-minute nap.
Although all people experienced increased fatigue from 4-9 a.m., the two-nap group had lower levels of fatigue than the others.
Why it's important to know
The experiment highlights how crucial it is to determine the appropriate duration and timing for napping.
Naps lasting 30 minutes or less can enhance alertness and increase energy levels, and the timing of the nap affects its effectiveness.
These findings can also be beneficial for new parents, helping them reduce fatigue caused by sleep deprivation.
Different measurements, such as levels of drowsiness, fatigue, heart rate, and blood pressure, were taken to evaluate the effects of various nap schedules.
Previously, we talked about body dissatisfaction.
