When I was in preschool, I would always moan and groan when I would hear that is was naptime. I never found the floor comfortable, even though they were usually carpeted, nor could I ever fall asleep under the brights lights and with the subtle noises of a classroom setting. There were some kids who would fall asleep quickly, and others who would lay awake holding back all urges to communicate with their other classmates who also remained awake.
As I have gotten older, naps have gradually become part of my daily routine. Looking back on my preschool days, I realized that I took naptime for granted.
Today, I would do anything to have naptime incorporated into my typical school day at college. I spend my days sitting through classes which ultimately sucks all the energy I woke up with away.
Personally, without a nap every day after class, I don’t know how I would get any work done.
Though society tends to attach negative stigmas to the idea of napping, naps are incredibly healthy activities that can lead you to feel rejuvenated and energetic. Specifically, power naps have been found to be especially beneficial.
A mere 20-minute nap has been proven to improve alertness, mood, stress levels, fatigue levels, ability to relax, and memory for the remaining time in your day after your nap. A 20-minute power nap can also decrease the risk for heart disease and can help you avoid sleep inertia, or the fatigue you feel after a longer and deeper afternoon nap turned slumber.
Now that we have gone through the benefits of power napping, the question still remains, what determines an ideally beneficial power nap? It seems that the factors that result in a good power nap are when you nap and how often you nap. In regards to when one takes naps, it has been evident that napping in the early afternoon seems to be the ideal time to nap at all.
In regards to how often you nap, research shows that the more power naps, or naps in general that you take, the more benefits you will see. People who are used to napping adjust to afternoon naps better, and they seem to have greater restoration and other benefits compared to those who do not nap.
So, just remember that the next time you are finding yourself utterly exhausted in the middle of the day, that is is okay, even beneficial to take a power nap. There is no shame in it, despite the negative societal stigma that comes with them. Embrace 20-minute power naps just like I do and I guarantee you that the benefits will be there later in the day.