Need A Good Reason to Nap? It Could Lower Your Blood Pressure

Blood pressure high? Your cardiologist may prescribe a midday snooze. Researchers at Asklepieion General Hospital in Greece found that for every hour of sleep during the day, blood pressure dropped 3 mm Hg on average. (For comparison, low-dose antihypertensive meds reduce BP 5 to 7 mm Hg.)

The longer the nap, the bigger the benefit, meaning even 20 minutes of shut-eye helps. If napping at your desk is a no-go, other research suggests meditation—which is more office-friendly—may lower blood pressure, too.