According to a study in the Sleep Health journal, people who take naps have bigger brains.

As we age our brain shrinks. However, the study found that taking short naps (around 15 minutes) can help slow down the shrinking.

Looking at DNA samples and brain scans of more than 35,000 people between the ages of 40 and 70, researchers found a noticeable difference between brain sizes of nappers and non-nappers. Nappers brains showed less shrinkage. The difference reflected between two-and-a-half to six-and-a-half years of less shrinkage for those who nap.

While the study showed that people who take naps have brains that seem to age more slowly, it could not provide the exact reason. In other words, it could be something other than the napping that is causing the results.

However, quoting this study does make a legitimate sounding reason to take a nap if you are looking for one.

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By: Buck Stevens