Healthline took a look at the “depression nap” trend rampant on social media.
With all the social media snark, sarcasm, and humor surrounding depression naps, and the lack of qualified medical corroboration, it would be easy to dismiss nap-related cyber blurbs as excuses for not handling life’s challenges effectively.
Devastated by a recent breakup? Suffering brain fog? Can’t get that work project going?
Take a nap. Call it a depression nap and, voila, immediate legitimacy.
However, these dismissive, jokey depression nap posts could also be covering risky behavior and underlying medical issues.
Sleep experts and research institutions recognize and validate the connection between sleep and depression, noting that insufficient sleep negatively impacts cognitive performance, mood, immune function, cardiovascular condition, weight, and metabolism.
Martin added that napping is not universally good or bad, and noted that some cultures regularly break for afternoon siestas.
“Naps can be good if they are a part of a person’s sleep plan, but bad if they make up for insufficient sleep at night,” she said.
Read more at www.healthline.com
