Ever since I’ve become a parent, it seems like sleep has always taken a backseat. Despite my kids getting older, it seems like I’ve always put off getting much needed rest. For the past few months, I’ve been taking my sleeping seriously and even getting in a nap as much as I can. Many people don’t realize that napping can be very beneficial for you. We have always thought napping was for babies, but adults can reap the benefits of it also. A short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress.
Improve Memory
Have you ever been so tired that you forget what you’re doing or suppose to do? If so, studies have shown that sleep plays a significant role in storing memories. A nap can help you remember things learned earlier in the day as much as a full night’s sleep. Napping works to keep you from forgetting things like motor skills, sense perception, and verbal recall, too.
Lift Your Mood
For this I can only speak for myself, but when you’re tired you feel down. Napping, or even just resting for an hour without falling asleep, can brighten your outlook. Experts say relaxation that comes from lying down and resting is a mood booster, whether you fall asleep or not. By trying healthy habits before bed can help, those power naps are something serious.
Make You More Alert
Since I work at night, this one is definitely true. Some nights I don’t eat, but I’ll head to the car for like a 20-minute nap. This isn’t something that I don’t even do often, but every now and then, this is something I need. A 20-minute nap can help you battle heavy eyelids and rejuvenate you also.
Great Benefit from Small Naps
A nap as short as 10 minutes can be beneficial but keep your nap to 30 minutes or less, so you don’t wake up feeling more tired. That grogginess you can feel after a nap is called sleep inertia. The longer you nap, the more likely you are to have that feeling. The worse it is, the more time you’ll need to wake up and transition back to work.
Keep You Away from Caffeine
If you’re feeling tired but have work or studying to get done, you may be better off taking a nap than sipping a coffee. Compared to caffeine, napping can bring better memory and learning.
Ease Stress
If you’re an adult, trust me I know you’re dealing with some sorts of stress. If you’re under a lot of pressure, a nap can release stress and improve your immune health. Experts believe that a 30-minute nap can do the trick. If you don’t believe me, how many times have pressure or stress lead you to being sick?
Heart Healthy
Believe it or not, but taking a nap is really good for your heart. A study found that people who napped for 45 to 60 minutes had lower blood pressure after going through mental stress. So, a nap can help your body recover from pressure-filled situations.
Help with Creativity
Have you ever tried to think of innovative ideas when you’re exhausted? Of course, you have, and it probably didn’t go well either. On the other end, have you ever wake up with a great idea? REM sleep, which typically starts 70 to 90 minutes after you fall asleep, activates parts of your brain associated with imagery and dreaming. A nap with REM sleep can help you combine ideas in new ways to come up with answers.
2 Comments
Electroklase
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If you’re feeling tired but have work or studying to get done, you may be better off taking a nap than sipping a coffee. Compared to caffeine, napping can bring better memory and learning.