TV naps, the phenomenon of falling asleep while watching TV, has long been a source of derision and judgement, particularly amongst parents. That however, may soon be a thing of the past as recent research demonstrates that napping while watching TV can be beneficial.

Studies conducted in Spain have found that people who watched television while napping, woke up more alert and energized than people who had taken a nap without television. This might be due to the combination of being exposed to light, along with the sound and distraction of the TV.

When it comes to sleep, the combination of light and sound can be incredibly helpful in lulling us into a relaxed state. This type of stimulation helps with relaxation and gets us primed for sleep. There’s an added benefit of having the sound from a TV in the background as it can drown out the noise from the external environment.

Furthermore, many reports suggest that those people who watch a beloved show or movie while napping may have a deeper and more restful sleep. This is due to the endorphins released during their nap which can stimulate their positive emotions, allowing them to sleep more soundly.

Napping in front of the TV isn’t bad after all. It can, in fact, work as a great way to get a good rest in a short amount of time. However, it’s important to do it in small doses and create a good environment conducive to sleep. Moreover, being exposed to the bright light of a TV, especially during evening and late-night nap sessions could be detrimental, so it’s important to avoid those times.

Though we may have grown up hearing that napping in front of the TV is bad for us, modern science is gradually showing us that it might not be as bad as we had previously believed. In light of this, we should all be a little less judgemental of those who find their rest in front of their favorite show or movie.