Dan Buettner, longevity expert: “People who take naps have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease”

After finishing a meal, one can feel the gentle shadow of sleep slowly and pleasantly spreading through the body. And then you drift off.

Upon waking, you might feel the regret of someone who thinks they’ve wasted time, or the delight of someone who knows they’ve harmonized with the universe. In this case, the second scenario is likely more accurate: readers should know that a nap, when done properly, is a true booster of longevity.

This is the view of Dan Buettner, a leading authority on healthy aging and widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on the subject. Buettner, whose research supports the existence of Blue Zones around the globe—regions where people live longer due to certain lifestyle habits, diets, and physical routines—has emphasized that one of the most common practices in these areas is, in fact, taking a nap.

Rest a little and gain years of life

“I find that the best longevity hack from the Blue Zones are those that not only extend your life but they’re also enjoyable,” he said in a recent video on his TikTok channel, highlighting “the Greek tradition of a regular afternoon nap” as a prime example.

The reason is clear. “We know from a study in Greece that people who take a nap five days a week for at least 20 minutes have about a third lower rate of cardiovascular disease,” he revealed, summarizing napping as a practice in which you always win: “So, you get your winks in and you get extra years at the end of your life, to me that’s a win-win.”

He encourages anyone watching the video to incorporate this habit into their routine, since the benefits for both health and enjoyment are scientifically proven—no matter how, at times, that post-meal drowsiness might feel like a guilty indulgence.