Ladies and gentlemen, to be honest with you, I’m a big fan of afternoon naps! Yes, I love them. And I also know that many people around the world share the same opinion, right? But, did you know that some towns actually shut down in the afternoon so that everyone can go or a quick power nap, recharge and come back to work? Well, unfortunately, this isn’t the case in the US! Yes, in the US a mid-day nap is a luxury thing and rarely who can afford. Sometimes, it’s considered as a sign of laziness. If you’re among those who enjoy the occasional weekend snooze, feel free to continue with it because as it turns out napping is healthy and it’s a normal and integral part of the circadian (sleep-wake cycle) rhythm.
As our day wears on, even when we get enough sleep at night, our focus and alertness degrade. While this can be a minor inconvenience in modern times, it may have meant life or death for our ancestors. Whether you are finishing up a project for work or hunting for your livelihood, a nap can rekindle your alertness and have your neurons back up and firing on high in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Big companies recognize this. Well yes, and you’ll be surprised when we tell you that Google and Apple are just a few that allow employees to have nap time. Studies have affirmed that short naps can improve awareness and productivity. Plus, who wouldn’t love a boss that lets you get a little shut-eye before the afternoon push?
Study Confirms:
A recent study, conducted by group of experts from the University of Colorado Boulder, has discovered that children who missed their afternoon nap showed less joy and interest, more anxiety, and poorer problem solving skills than other children. The same can be seen in adults that benefit from napping. Researchers with Berkeley found an hour nap to dramatically increase learning ability and memory. Naps sort of provide a reboot, where the short term memory is cleared out and our brain becomes refreshed with new defragged space. Experts say a 10 to 20 minute “power nap” is best for refreshing your mind and increasing energy and alertness. And, the experts also say that this sleep isn’t as deep as longer naps, which allows you to get right back at your day upon waking. They also say that a 30-minute nap can lead to 30 minutes of grogginess, as you are often waking just as your body enters the deeper stages of sleep. You’ll experience some of that same fogginess if you sleep for an hour, but 60 minute naps are good for memory boosting.
And, one more thing – the longest naps (around 90 minutes) are good for those people who just don’t get enough sleep at night. It’s a complete sleep cycle and can improve emotional memory and creativity. Ladies and gentlemen, there you have it – as you can see, naps are good for you physical and mental well-being so you should practice them as much as you can. However, be advised that you shouldn’t sacrifice night time sleeping for an afternoon nap, they should be an addition to a good night sleep. We really hope you enjoyed this article and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. Thank you and have a good one.