It is not known whether napping is natural in human beings or not. The National Sleep Foundation states that humans are among only 15% of mammals that are monophasic sleepers, who split the day into two parts: one for sleeping and one for being awake. Most mammals are polyphasic, sleeping on and off for short periods of time. However, the Foundation notes that napping is prevalent in humans of all ages and in numerous cultures.
Americans Like to Nap
Based on a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center (Taylor, 2009), over a third of Americans take naps. Age made no difference. All adults, whether still teenagers, young adults, middle aged or elderly, showed the same incidence of napping. Only the extremely elderly showed a higher percentage of napping than other populations.
Emergence of the Power Nap
Americans have a work ethic that differs from many cultures who celebrate a siesta in the midday. “Power napping” may change this attitude. In his 2006 article, “Power Napping,” Joe Kissell credits James Mass, a professor at Cornell University, with the invention of the word "power nap." In his book, Power Sleep (1997), Mass claims that napping during the workday increases attention, memory, emotional well-being and overall function. Above all, Mass gave American workers “permission” to take a nap during the workday.
Benefits of Napping
Napping has definite benefits. The National Sleep Foundation states that the advantages of napping are much the same as those stated by Mass. These are: increased alertness, better performance and reduced mistakes on the job. The Foundation also asserts that napping has emotional benefits. A nap can be a treat or a reward for a hard day’s work. As the Pew survey reflected, Americans simply like to nap.
Negative Effects of Napping
Unlike Mass, however, the National Sleep Foundation sees some potential disadvantages in napping. The Foundation warns that not all naps are alike. There is a considerable difference between a catnap and a nap that can last for an entire sleep cycle. When a nap lasts more than approximately 20 minutes, it causes a phenomenon called sleep inertia, which appears to have the opposite effect of the remarkable benefits described by Mass.
Sleep inertia, or grogginess, is a state of lassitude and confusion. It can be dangerous to be groggy if one has to return to normal activity immediately after a nap. Many Americans are sleep deprived, and post nap inertia lasts longer in this group.
Does Napping Cause Insomnia?
The National Sleep Foundation states that napping may be a cause of insomnia or aggravate existing insomnia. The Pew survey also found a correlation between napping and “trouble sleeping.”
However, it appears that this issue has not been resolved. The Journal of the American Geriatric Society devoted two articles to this subject in its 56th volume, published in 2008. Interestingly, the Journal wrote an editorial in the same volume, arguing that there are too many variables in the relationship between insomnia and napping. They stated that the issue is too complex to draw any valid conclusions.
To Nap or Not to Nap
The Pew Research Center found that, although the 2009 survey covered many areas of aging, most of the public interest focused on the results of the “nap” part of the survey. So the nap is back. Many see it as a treat. Now the unanswered question is, “Is napping better than chocolate? “
Resources:
National Sleep Foundation, 1522 K Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.
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