Longer and More Frequent Daytime Naps Linked to Higher Mortality Risk in Older Adults

Daytime napping is common among older adults, with estimates suggesting 20–60% nap regularly. While brief naps can feel restorative, new research suggests that longer and more frequent napping may signal serious underlying health risks — and could serve as a behavioral biomarker for mortality.

The study analyzed wrist actigraphy data from 1,338 adults aged 56 and older enrolled in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, tracked from 1997 to 2025. Nearly 70% of participants died during follow-up. Unlike prior studies relying on self-reported napping, this research used continuous movement monitoring to objectively capture nap timing, duration, and frequency.

Key findings showed that each additional hour of nap duration corresponded to a mortality risk equivalent to being 1.1 years older, while each extra daily nap added roughly 0.6 years of risk. Morning naps — taken between 9 AM and 1 PM — were especially concerning, carrying a risk equivalent to being 2.5 years older compared to early afternoon nappers. Afternoon napping aligns with natural circadian dips and cultural norms like the siesta, while morning napping may indicate disrupted sleep-wake cycles or neurodegeneration.

Importantly, when the analysis was restricted to cognitively healthy individuals, the mortality association largely disappeared. This suggests excessive napping may be a downstream marker of cognitive or physiological decline rather than an independent cause of death. Researchers also accounted for nighttime sleep quality and various comorbidities, strengthening the findings.

For health-conscious adults, this research reinforces the value of monitoring napping habits as a potential early warning sign. If naps are becoming longer, more frequent, or shifting to morning hours, it may warrant evaluation for sleep disorders, cognitive changes, or chronic disease. Short afternoon naps remain relatively low-risk and culturally supported.