Okay, so seriously, afternoon shut-eye … who has time for that?! Well, according to sleep guru’s, you snooze you win!
The afternoon slump used to drive bleary eyed folks to the nearest coffee shop for a triple-shot latte, but the likes of Google, Uber, Nike, Huffington Post and other mega-corporations have set the trend of introducing “sleep pods” which employees can use during working hours to rejuvenate their energy levels.
Yup, adults need naps too. A power nap in essence is a short nap – less than 30 minutes – which provides the restorative benefits of sleep without affecting one’s ability to fall asleep at night.
Most experts agree that a power nap should not exceed 30 minutes. In fact, some reckon it should even be shorter – 20 minutes max. And that’s because the body enters a deep sleep around that time, and waking up from a deep sleep can lead to grogginess.
The state of grogginess is also called “sleep inertia.” That’s when your body feels like it needs to sleep more because your brain has already started to get into a deeper state of sleep. However, with a power nap, you remain in the lighter stages of sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed, rather than sleepy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, napping can help you feel relaxed, reduce fatigue, increase alertness and memory, and improve your mood. In fact, a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that short 30 minute naps had stress relieving and immune benefits for a group of healthy, young adult men.
Also, if you need a further excuse to get some shut-eye during the day: naps may keep your heart healthy. A study published in Heart found that participants who napped twice a week had a lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event.
If you’re a proponent of the power nap, you’re in good company. Christiano Ronaldo, Chris Martin, Heidi Klum and Chrissy Teigen, are all fans of taking short naps in the afternoon.
The power of the nap cannot be ignored, however it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay too. Falling asleep is great, but so is tapping out. The act of sitting quietly and practising “wakeful rest” has been shown to improve both memory and mood.
A 30 minute kip works for pilots and footballers, and it could do wonders for you too.
Ready to give it a go?
Source: theguardian.com, acefitness.org, cosmopolitan.com, casper.com, businesstech.co.za, blog.fitbit.com, womenshealthmag.com, everydayhealth.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.