In recent years, with the increasing pressure of people's lives, napping has become the choice of many people. However, the latest research has found that napping may have some impact on longevity. Some doctors remind people, especially those who have passed middle age, to be cautious when choosing naps and follow the "three don'ts" principle to protect their health.
In TCM theory, napping is seen as part of the body's natural rhythm to help restore physical strength and improve mental state. However, excessive napping or inappropriate napping times can have a range of adverse effects on the body.
First of all, taking too long a nap can cause cold and dampness to accumulate in the body. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body is divided into two aspects, yin and yang, and health requires a balance of yin and yang. Taking a nap for too long will lead to excessive cold in the body, which in turn will lead to poor flow of qi and blood, affecting the function of the internal organs. Therefore, after middle age, the nap time should be controlled to 30 minutes to 1 hour to avoid the invasion of cold and dampness into the body for too long.
Secondly, the nap time should not be chosen too early or too late. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body's yang energy gradually rises in the morning and reaches its peak in the afternoon, when the yang energy is strong and the yin energy is weak, and the human body is in a hot and dry state. Therefore, it is best to choose a nap time between 2 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, which will help balance yang and yin energy, and avoid taking a nap too early or too late to cause yang stagnation or excessive yin energy.
At the same time, the nap position also needs to be paid attention to. An overly comfortable posture can lead to poor blood circulation and affect the body's ability to repair itself. It is recommended to choose a side-lying or semi-sitting position during napping to maintain the natural curve of the body, which is conducive to blood circulation and harmony of qi and blood.
In addition, diet is also closely related to napping. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that taking a proper nap after lunch can help digestion and absorption, but excessive intake of meals can lead to insufficient digestion in the body and affect the quality of napping. Therefore, lunch should be controlled in moderation, and high-calorie and greasy foods should be avoided so as not to affect the effect of napping.
All in all, a reasonable nap is beneficial to the human body, which can improve work efficiency and restore the spirit. However, excessive or inappropriate napping can have a negative impact on the body and even affect longevity. Therefore, people should follow the "three don'ts", control the nap time and posture, and pay attention to moderation in their diet to protect their health.
Health References:
1.Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, ISBN978-7-117-17424-2