When we nap as adults we are allowing ourselves to indulge in several benefits. We become more relaxed, are able to feel more alert once we’re awake again, and also improve our moods. While we don’t want to take long naps, short naps here and there can really help keep us going throughout our daily lives. A mere 20 minutes could be more than enough to kick things back into gear.
Source: WSJ – The Perfect Nap, wsj.com
In this day and age sleep deprivation is a very common issue and affects people of all ages. The older we get the more important sleep becomes and realizing that is crucial for moving forth. One study actually found that men who take afternoon naps three times a week have an almost 40 percent lower risk level of death due to heart-related issues. That in itself is a huge deal and a big difference when you really think about it.
When we nap we reduce our stress levels and improve our cognitive performance overall. Short naps in many ways are like boosts in our lives. They allow us to let go and really readjust to the world around us. If you’re taking a nap in the afternoon between 1 PM and 3 PM you are also lowering the amount of tension within your body. This is because that is about the time during which our blood sugar and energy overall begin to dip as is.
Hopkins Medicine actually wrote as follows in regards to your brain and the benefits napping has to offer:
Researchers looked at data from 2,974 people in China ages 65 and older. Nearly 60 percent of participants reported napping after lunch for about an hour.
Scientists found that people who napped for 30 to 90 minutes had better word recall – which is a sign of good memory – than people who did not nap or who napped for longer than 90 minutes. People who napped for that golden 30 to 90 minutes were also better at figure drawing, another sign of good cognition.
One theory explaining poor cognition in those who take longer naps: Resting more during the day may be a sign of poor quality nighttime sleep, according to Gamaldo. “In the study, naps longer than 90 minutes could have been called ‘a second sleep.’” This poor quality nighttime sleep – the kind that requires extra-long napping during the day – can lead to cognitive problems, she adds.
Research throughout the years has proven that when we become adults naps become quite important in our lives. A quick cat nap just a few times each week could really change your life in more ways than you are currently able to imagine. How often do you nap at the moment and will you be napping more after reading this? For more information on this topic please feel free to check out the video below.