One thing I’ll never grasp about kids is their aversion to napping. All four of my children stopped napping by the time they were 18 months old, and I can’t help but judge them a bit for it. Seriously, naps are fantastic!
Back in my days as a financial advisor, I had my own office with a fancy wooden desk, where I would often sneak in a quick nap under it (the perks of being petite). I’d arrive at work at 6:30 a.m., and being not-so-much a morning person, I cherished those little breaks. I might have even startled a few colleagues who walked by as I emerged from my mid-day slumber.
Now, in this era of COVID-19, the importance of naps has skyrocketed (except for my kids, of course). My husband, who rises at 5:30 a.m. to kickstart his day, occasionally indulges in a nap on the office couch. He’ll wake up, check on the kids, spend some time with them, and then dive back into work. While I tease him about it, I secretly appreciate his napping habits since they validate my own unconventional sleep schedule. I often burn the midnight oil (sometimes obsessively watching K-pop groups) and then crash for days at a time.
But I digress. Naps are superb, and we should all take advantage of them more often. Research backs this up, highlighting numerous benefits of napping.
Benefits of Napping
To clarify, let’s differentiate between sleep and naps. Sleep typically involves going through all five stages of the sleep cycle, which spans about 90 to 110 minutes for adults. In contrast, naps are usually 10 to 30 minutes long, allowing you to drift into light sleep without entering the deeper stages. This brief rest can leave you feeling revitalized.
Here are some perks of those quick power naps:
- Reduced Fatigue: It’s no surprise that napping alleviates sleepiness. While adults may not always need naps, a brief 10 to 20-minute rest can do wonders, especially when sleep-deprived. Just be cautious not to nap too long or too late in the day, particularly if insomnia is an issue.
- Improved Mood: Much like how a nap can transform a cranky toddler into a cheerful child, adults can experience similar mood boosts. Naps are linked to heightened positivity and better frustration tolerance, which is crucial during these challenging times.
- Emotion Regulation: Research indicates that our emotional responses can become more intense as the day progresses. A nap can help counteract this by balancing those reactions, enhancing our responses to positive emotions.
- Enhanced Performance: Studies show that 10- to 30-minute naps can improve psychomotor speed, reaction time, memory, and alertness, making you more productive.
- Memory Formation: If you’re studying or learning something new, a nap can help improve your ability to recall information and enhance memory functions.
Let’s face it: in our fast-paced world, taking a nap feels like a guilty pleasure, but it’s actually a smart way to improve your brain function and productivity.
When Should You Nap?
If you find yourself struggling to concentrate or feeling foggy, consider a short nap instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee boost. Or try a coffee nap: drink a cup of coffee and then take a quick 15- to 30-minute nap. By the time you wake up, the caffeine will be kicking in!
So, let’s celebrate naps and encourage each other to embrace them guilt-free!
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In summary, naps are not just a luxury; they can significantly enhance our mood, performance, and overall well-being. It’s time to prioritize those little moments of rest!