Taking daytime naps may help maintain brain health as people age, according to a new study published Monday in Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation.

Researchers say habitual napping is linked with larger total brain volume.

The study claims in turn that habitual napping is associated with a lower risk of dementia and other diseases.

Researchers say on average, the difference in brain volume between nappers and non-nappers was equivalent to 2 ½ to 6 ½ years of aging.