(Newser) – We all know how important it is to get enough sleep—but a new study suggests that daytime napping may actually increase your risk of an early death. Researchers looked at more than 16,000 British adults over a 13-year period, and found that those who slept for an hour or more during the day were almost a third more likely to die prematurely, the Daily Mail reports. Specifically, they were more likely to die from lung diseases, and researchers say napping could contribute to respiratory ailments by triggering inflammation in the body. However, the researchers note that napping may simply be an early sign that your health is in danger, rather than the cause of the problem, the Independent notes.

In fact, one expert who did not take part in the study suggests, in people with serious lung problems, the naps "may not have hastened death but delayed it." And he notes that the findings show that 85% of people who napped less than one hour a day were at no higher risk of a premature death than non-nappers. (Click to find out how too much running may also kill you sooner.)

