“It's early in the day, around 2:00 pm, and I'm just getting out of bed,” said Dr. Michael Mosley. The doctor had not stayed late the night before; he was just dozing. The reason he enjoyed his afternoon nap is due to the health benefits that a short break can offer. In fact, a simple practice can reduce the risk of a heart attack by as much as 48 percent.
“Like many people, I suffer from a terrible mid-day slump,” the podcast host admitted. “One of the reasons for this is that our body's natural circadian rhythms tend to lower energy levels in the afternoon.”
But instead of drinking a cup of coffee, he recommended taking a nap.
Dr. Mosley said:
“Not only can naps improve our mood and well-being, large studies have even shown a link between regular daytime naps and heart health. Daytime naps can sometimes be more beneficial than just a longer night's sleep.”
From improving memory to reducing heart attack risk, mid-day naps are about more than restoring much-needed energy.In addition, this practice was popular with many famous personalities. The doctor said:
“Winston Churchill regularly recharged his afternoon nap. Writing in his memoirs that even if it lasts only 20 minutes, it is enough to restore all vitality. He was clearly on to something, because recent research shows that daytime naps can do wonders for your mind and body. To begin with, an afternoon nap even once or twice a week is good for the heart.”
The doctor shared that a recent study of more than 3,400 people aged 35 to 75 can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Their results showed that daytime sleep was associated with a 48 percent reduction in the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Medicalforum has previously written about the benefits of cranberries. 
Michael Mosley Health British physician, also known as a TV presenter on biology and medicine.