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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Calls to make nap part of working day after latest study on brain benefits

Woman napping with her head resting on desk
While experts said a daytime doze was sometimes beneficial, they stressed that it was crucial to get enough sleep at the end of the day. Photograph: Onoky/Eric Audras/Getty Images/Brand X

Winston Churchill was a past master, while Salvador Dalí made it an art and Margaret Thatcher allegedly did it in the back of her official car. Napping has long been a habit of the elite, but recent research has led to renewed calls for employees to be allowed to doze on the job, too.

According to a study published this week, habitual napping appears to be associated with a larger brain volume in adults, with scientists suggesting this raised the possibility the practice offers some protection against neurodegeneration – although experts stressed that further research was needed. The work followed previous studies that suggested a brief doze could improve people’s ability to learn.

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