Dear LPG readers,

I will have written this sometime in advance having asked LPG to print my last offering yesterday, in the hope that all LPG readers remember to stage a ‘sleep in’ on this, the day that has been designated as World Sleep Day.

When I wrote that letter and asked LPG to post it yesterday in preparation for a restful today  I also promised to contact the Sleep Council and ask about the napping habits of many of us older members of the British (and many other nations for that matter).

And I got an answer which I felt should be heard by people which are most likely to be affected.

I asked if all those periods of napping were to be measured, should the time during which we nap be added to a person’s accumulative daily sleep time?’ and I got this answer.

“Broadly – yes, it does add to their accumulative sleep time. It takes the form of what we call polyphasic and biphasic sleeping.

Polyphasic sleeping is where people sleep for several short sessions with one longer duration of a few hours throughout the 24-hour period.

Biphasic sleep is which is where people sleep in two periods – one shorter duration after lunch and one longer duration at night.

You can read more on it here https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/sleep-hub/polyphasic-sleep/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2191161

However, what is worth noting is that this daytime sleeping may lead to sleep deprivation symptoms as you never sleep long enough to go through all the sleep stages.

There is also a common misconception that sleep needs decline with age. It’s not about needing less sleep, but unfortunately as we get older sleep quality declines and we experience a change in sleeping patterns – whether that’s more frequent wakings in the night (from pain, bladder issues, etc), loss of non-REM sleep or more daytime napping.  Older people generally feel more tired early evening so tend to go to bed earlier, but then wake earlier.”

So, now that I hope that readers have all woken late and refreshed having been reminded to, for those readers who indulge in this little napping pastime, here is something else to consider on a day dedicated to such contemplations.

HJ, Mottingham