Napping Renews Your Energy
Urge to Nap is Universal
In fact, many people incorporate a regular power nap during their busy day. Sleep researchers explain that napping is not a sign of laziness or merely a cultural phenomena. They reveal the urge to nap in the afternoon is nearly universal, even in people who have a full night's sleep.
In fact, surveys indicate that about half of all college students and retired people nap at least once a week.
In addition, researchers indicate that about half the people in the world, mostly in the warmer climates, take an afternoon siesta each day. Some people may think this urge to nap is due to eating and digesting lunch, or in warm climates due to the afternoon heat.
However, experts explain our bodies experience a slight midday drop in temperature, which is part of our internal biorhythms that encourages sleepiness. Studies have demonstrated subjects living in isolation, without any time cues, naturally divide their daily sleep between one long and one short period.
Naps are Not for Everyone
Not everyone likes or benefits from napping. For example, some people who have trouble sleeping at night find daytime napping leaves them more fatigued than before. Sleep experts suggest you keep your nap under an hour. They explained that more than an hour nap is likely to result in the intense grogginess known as, 'sleep inertia.'
They also suggest a long nap may also interfere with sleeping at night. Therefore, some experts suggest naps should only be 10 to 15 minutes in length, or else you will feel more fatigued than if you hadn't napped.
The ideal nap time for most people is about eight hours after waking and approximately eight hours before night time sleep. The reasoning for this is -- this is when the body temperature reaches its low point.
The results from studies of sleep deprived pilots and shift workers have found naps help reduce fatigue, increase alertness, and improve certain aspects of job performance.
Not All Naps are Equal
And if you think all naps are equal, or that they are mini versions of a full night's sleep, think again! Sleep experts describe mid-afternoon naps as primarily a deep sleep. Morning naps are more likely to be a lighter sleep, while early evening naps are more likely to leave you groggy and may make you postpone night-time sleep.
So, for those who are in the habit of taking that daily nap ritual, remember that shorter is better. And if you aren't the napping kind, try walking - it has similar energizing effects without the post-nap inertia, and, it's conducive to a good night sleep.
Napping is Healthy
Napping is healthy. And on the days that you feel run down, over tired, or you have that feeling of being unwell, take a nap or at least rest. It is so simple that many people fail to think of it when they start to get sick.
Your immune system requires energy to do its job. By cutting down on unnecessary expenditures of energy, you can give your immune system a great advantage. So go to bed and take a nap or rest, you will feel better for it.
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