In the hectic modern world, a lunch break or nap is seen by many as a valuable way to relax. In fact, napping does have many benefits, such as increased productivity, recovery from fatigue, and enhanced concentration. However, according to TCM theory and clinical experience, napping is not suitable for all populations. Especially for the following four groups of people, napping can have some adverse consequences.
First of all, people with weak constitution are not suitable for napping. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the balance of yin and yang in the human body and the coordination of the functions of the internal organs are essential to health. People with weak constitution often lack yang energy, and the spleen and stomach function is weak, and napping will further deplete the yang energy in the body, resulting in more weakened spleen and stomach function, causing indigestion, loss of appetite and other problems. Therefore, it is best for such people to avoid long or frequent naps so as not to harm their own yang energy.
Secondly, people with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should be cautious about napping. Napping may be a good way for normal people to relax, but for patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, excessive napping may put an additional burden on the body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that taking a nap for too long will lead to the accumulation of yang qi in the body, block the flow of qi and blood, and increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should avoid napping for too long, try to control it within 30 minutes, and avoid waking up with excessive force.
Thirdly, people with respiratory diseases are not suitable for napping. Respiratory diseases mainly include asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc., most of which can cause airway obstruction, wheezing and other symptoms. During napping, because the human body is in a relaxed state, the depth of breathing decreases, which can easily cause aggravation of the condition and difficulty breathing. Therefore, it is best for patients with respiratory diseases to avoid napping to avoid discomfort and risks to themselves.
Finally, people with insomnia or sleep disorders should be cautious about napping. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that taking too long a nap can disrupt the normal sleep pattern at night, leading to insomnia or the problem of not sleeping deeply at night. For people with insomnia or sleep disorders, napping can exacerbate these problems, leading to more erratic sleep quality. Therefore, for this group of people, it is better to take less or no naps to maintain the quality and stability of nighttime sleep.
In conclusion, while napping is a good way to relax for most people, it's not for everyone. Especially for people with weak constitution, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and insomnia or sleep disorders, napping may bring some adverse consequences. Therefore, when choosing whether to take a nap, it is important to consider your own physical condition and health status, and make a scientific and reasonable choice according to the specific situation.
[References]
1. Sun Simiao. With the morning and dusk moon order, it is as smooth as the fundamental. Journal of China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2019(2): 51-53.