Here’s what the latest research says about a few interesting
things.
The Unknown Benefits of a Nap
What do you do between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.? If taking
a nap is your answer, then you’re doing what’s
best for those brain cells of yours! In other words, a little
afternoon “siesta” does wonders for your IQ level.
The clichés linking naps to small children and the
elderly have been difficult to rid ourselves of. That has
been especially true in the last few years, where the myth
further declared that snoozing in the middle of the day was
synonymous with being lazy. However, today it’s a scientifically
proven fact: an afternoon nap is beneficial to our health
and particularly in regard to our intellectual abilities.
In a recent study, researchers at NASA showed that a thirty
to forty-minute power nap increased cognitive faculties by
approximately 40%! Tests carried out on one thousand volunteers
proved that those who continued working without rest scored
lower in intelligence tests, such as IQ tests. More importantly,
their capacity to work and memorize decreased in comparison
to those who napped after lunch.
The Nap Must Be Short
Following NASA’s work, biology students at Berkeley
determined that the nap must be short in order to result in
maximum effectiveness. If over forty-five minutes, the beneficial
effects of napping disappear; so it’s therefore recommended
that a fifteen to thirty-five minute “power nap”
be taken. This is the time that’s required for the organism
to rest and to enable brain neurons to recuperate. Airline
pilots know this only too well: a twenty-minute nap considerably
reduces the risks of falling asleep at the controls in mid-flight.
Catching a few ZZs helps fight drowziness following an intense
period of concentration. Though sleep specialists recommend
a time slot between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., in fact the best
time to nap depends on the time you wake up. Depending on
what line of work each individual is in, a worker on a graveyard
shift, for example, should count 7 hours after the alarm clock
goes off. Convinced of the positive effects of napping, some
companies have established strict guidelines on this practice
and are encouraging their employees to take naps. Its most
significant results: an enormous decrease in absenteeism,
tardiness and work-related stress. (MSN Health)
Genes Linked to Major Depression
Some people are genetically predisposed to develop major depression
when confronted with stressful life events such as a marriage
breakup, Australian research suggests. Inheriting a specific
gene from both parents makes them more than twice as likely
to become depressed as others, given similar circumstances,
the study has found. Mental health experts have been studying
127 graduates from a Sydney teachers’ college for the
past 25 years, with 42 per cent reporting at least one episode
of major depression in that time. They recently compared their
DNA profiles with their lifetime history of major stress,
such as a relationship breakdown or death of a parent, to
find out whether a particular gene interacted with the environment
to bring on depression.
The researchers found the influence of adverse life events
on the onset of depression was significantly greater for those
who inherited a short version of the serotonin transporter
gene, known as 5-HTTLPR, from both parents.
Lead researcher Kay Wilhelm, of Sydney’s St Vincent’s
Hospital and the University of NSW, said the research validated
the results of a 2003 New Zealand study which looked at a
larger sample of more than 800 people between ages 21 and
26. “That’s the exciting part, that this is not
just a one-off thing,” Associate Professor Wilhelm said
in an interview. “We’ve actually replicated the
New Zealand study and got virtually identical findings.”
But Prof Wilhelm warned people against getting their genes
checked to assess their susceptibility to depression. “It’s
premature and not very helpful,” she said. “My
advice to people would be just be aware of how you handle
stress. “There’s lots of good information
out there. You need to be more educated about it, face it
square on and do something that’s going to be
helpful. People seeking more information should consult the
Black Dog Institute’s website at <www.blackdoginstitute.org.au>
(AEDT)
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com”.
