Daytime Napping in Older Adults: What Recent Research Reveals About Sleep Patterns and Mortality Risk

This study stands apart from earlier napping research because it used objective measurement instead of relying on self-report. Researchers equipped participants with actigraphy devices—wearable sensors that measure movement and rest patterns—worn continuously for up to 14 days. The devices recorded activity in 15-second intervals, allowing researchers to identify and measure actual sleep episodes during the daytime (defined as sleep occurring between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.).

The study included 1,338 community-dwelling adults aged 56 and older, with a mean age of 81.4 years. The group was 76% female and 93.3% White. Over a follow-up period averaging 8.3 years (up to 19 years total), 926 participants (69.2%) died. Researchers calculated nap duration, frequency, and timing for each person, then examined whether these measures were associated with mortality risk after accounting for numerous other health and lifestyle factors.

The study found that longer naps and more frequent naps were associated with higher mortality. A second key finding was about timing: morning naps—defined as those occurring during the peak window of 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.—showed higher mortality risk compared to early afternoon naps. Interestingly, variability in nap length across days was not associated with mortality, meaning that occasional changes in how long someone naps are not the concern.

The study does not conclude that napping itself causes death. Instead, researchers found that excessive or increased daytime napping is associated with underlying conditions. As the lead researcher Chenlu Gao stated, “excessive napping is likely indicating underlying disease, chronic conditions, sleep disturbances or circadian dysregulation.”

Morning naps carry particular significance in this research. When someone who normally does not nap in the morning begins to do so, or when morning naps increase in frequency or length, this may indicate a high sleep deficit—meaning the person is unable to maintain wakefulness even after a full night’s sleep. This pattern can reflect neurological changes, poor-quality nighttime sleep, undiagnosed sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or underlying neurological conditions.

The study’s discussion section notes that sleep disruption and circadian misalignment—which can present as excessive napping—may lead to changes in cardiovascular function. The research also mentions systemic inflammation as a possible pathway: chronic inflammation is known to trigger fatigue, which may in turn cause more napping. However, the study itself did not measure inflammation levels; rather, the authors discussed inflammation as a possible mechanism based on prior research.

Understanding what the research does and does not establish is essential. This study documents an association between napping patterns and mortality—meaning that people who nap more have higher mortality rates. It does not prove causation—that is, it does not prove that the napping itself is causing death. Rather, the napping appears to be a marker of underlying health conditions that affect mortality.

The study also has several important limitations. The research participants were predominantly from northern Illinois and were 93.3% White, which means findings may not apply equally to older adults of other races or ethnicities. Additionally, in many cultures including Hispanic-Latino and Chinese communities, afternoon rest (siesta) is a normal, culturally valued practice. This study cannot address whether the findings apply to such cultural napping practices.

The researchers did not examine specific causes of death, so it remains unclear whether the increased mortality is driven primarily by cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, neurological disease, or other conditions. The study also could not determine whether actigraphy (wearable measurement) is superior to self-reported napping in predicting health risk, because concurrent self-report data were not collected.

One noteworthy finding: the study found no association between variability in nap duration and mortality after adjusting for other factors. This means that occasional changes in how long a person naps are not concerning; it is the baseline pattern of longer or more frequent naps that carries risk.

The findings suggest that shifts in napping behavior could serve as an early warning sign of developing health conditions. For older adults and family members, noticing a change—whether an increase in daytime sleepiness, longer naps, or shifts toward morning napping—warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider. Many conditions can cause fatigue and excessive sleepiness, including chronic pain, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, sleep apnea, depression, and neurological changes.

For healthcare systems, the study highlights the potential of wearable technology in routine health monitoring. Consumer-grade smartwatches and fitness trackers increasingly include sleep-tracking features. Incorporating structured assessment of napping patterns into clinical practice or electronic health records could help identify high-risk individuals before major health events occur. This is particularly relevant as older adult populations grow and as wearable devices become more widespread.

The National Institute on Aging and other gerontological organizations recognize sleep quality and duration as foundational to healthy aging. This study adds to that understanding by showing that daytime sleep patterns may also matter. Combined with knowledge about nighttime sleep and cardiovascular health, clinicians can develop a more complete picture of an older adult’s sleep health and associated risks.

Daytime napping is one aspect of the larger relationship between sleep and aging. Research consistently shows that sleep quality and quantity affect cognitive function, immune regulation, cardiovascular health, and longevity. The timing and regularity of sleep—captured in the concept of circadian rhythm—also influences health outcomes.

This particular study examined daytime napping through the lens of circadian timing, showing that morning naps may be more problematic than afternoon naps. This aligns with the understanding that healthy circadian function depends on consolidated nighttime sleep and maintained daytime alertness. When the system falls out of alignment, health consequences can follow.

For older adults interested in supporting their own health, this research suggests that tracking changes in sleep—both at night and during the day—could be valuable. Changes worth discussing with a doctor include increased daytime sleepiness despite adequate nighttime sleep, shifts in when naps occur, or longer naps than usual. Early identification and management of underlying causes can support healthier aging outcomes.