Slept late because you partied too hard on the weekend? Found yourself unable to sleep because you were scrolling your phone till 3 am on a work-night? These things happen to the best of us, whether it is because you slept late, or slept too long, leaving your sleep pattern askew. We are all familiar with the feeling. Being so tired that you fall asleep the moment you come home, hoping to take a nap. However, is this nap costing you your health? While napping after a long day of work may seem appealing, it could be inching you closer to an early grave. A new study suggests that when you nap and how long you nap during the day might be linked to your risk of death. This is especially true for adults in their middle to older years. Researchers looked at data from wearable fitness trackers to understand these napping patterns. They found that specific ways of napping were connected to a higher risk of dying among older adults. What the Study Found Researchers used data from wearable activity trackers worn by nearly 87,000 adults, mostly around age 63. These devices tracked their sleep and activity patterns for a week. Over 11 years, thousands of these participants passed away. The research found a link between a higher risk of death and three things: taking longer napsnapping at different lengths each daynapping often around midday or early afternoon.This research is important because it used real data from trackers, which is more accurate than just asking people about their naps from memory. Does Napping Cause Health Problems? It's important to know that this study doesn't prove naps cause death. It only shows a connection. This research is still new and hasn't been fully checked by other experts. It also might not apply to everyone. However, experts say the study offers strong evidence. It suggests that if someone naps a lot or at odd times, it might be a sign that they have an underlying health condition that's making them tired. Connection Between Napping and Mortality It's important to understand that this study doesn't prove naps cause death. Instead, experts think the link is more about why people are napping. For example, hidden health problems like sleep apnea (which messes up night sleep) or illnesses that cause a lot of tiredness, like heart disease, could be the real culprits. These conditions might make someone nap more and also increase their risk of death. It's also possible that very long or irregular naps might upset your body's natural clock, potentially affecting things like inflammation and heart health. Should You Stop Napping? There's no need to completely stop napping, especially if you are a shift worker or truly sleep-deprived. Scientists are still learning about this connection. However, for most people, it's a good idea to aim for certain nap habits: Keep naps short: Naps less than 30 minutes are often best to help you feel refreshed without feeling groggy. Nap earlier in the day: Napping earlier can help prevent your daytime sleep from interfering with your ability to fall asleep at night. If you find yourself taking very long naps or needing regular naps throughout the day, especially if you still feel tired, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They might want to check for underlying health problems or recommend an evaluation for a sleep disorder. Tips To Avoid Napping Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.Spend time outdoors in natural sunlight, particularly in the morning.Get regular physical activity.Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks.Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to reduce stress.