We all know what it’s like to not have enough sleep and feel underslept. In fact, even though society has never worked (or played!) harder, the sad fact is that we’ve never slept worse. We’re constantly jumping from one thing to the next, running ourselves to the point of exhaustion…yet not getting the sleep we so desperately need.
Sometimes we don’t even know how to rest on our days off; to make full use of this time so that we’re better equipped for the week ahead. We wind up being sleep-deprived, grumpy zombies who have no idea how to catch up on lost zzzs and to be able to face the world again.
There is a good reason why power naps are a thing. Because even a 15-minute nap can reset your whole mindset, turning you from a lethargic mess into an energised bunny. (Well, pretty close to it.)
Napping is something we did a lot when we were kids, and which we’ll do again when we’re in our golden years. So why not embrace a good ol’ nap now, when we need it more than ever? With this in mind, here are 5 reasons you should nap more often.
The Japanese Do It
If it’s good enough for the busiest, most productive workers out there, it’s good enough for me! Sit on any form of public transport in Japan – bullet train, the underground or the bus – and you’ll notice that at least 50% of its inhabitants are enjoying a lovely nap. The salarymen, the school girls, the elegant ladies in traditional kimono – all napping away, without so much as a hint of drool!
Japanese people have got naps down to a fine art; and they’re not ashamed to show it. They even have a name for it –“inemuri” (which roughly translates to sleeping while present) and believe it’s the sign of a hard worker. So take a leaf out of their book. Don’t be shy, nap when you can, and be more alert for your waking hours!
All this said, Japan is also the birthplace of karoshi – “death from overwork” – so if you’re napping because you’re exhausted from work, you should probably address your work life balance asap.
Napping Makes You More Productive
Ever noticed how some days you’re a hive of productivity, waking up for an early swim, cleaning the kitchen, making your kids’ lunch and prepping for that presentation all before you’re sat at your desk by 9am?
Other days, of course, you can’t even function enough to log in, or to remember your boss’ name. The key difference between these two scenarios is a lack of…nope, not caffeine…sleep. If you’re sleep deprived, you simply can’t function properly.
Your brain’s cognitive ability is diminished and you lack the energy to be as productive as you normally would. What’s more, you probably feel physically drained, too. The general solution would be to get more sleep.
In the meantime, nap when you can. And say hello to a more productive you! Yep, sometimes the best way to be more productive is to do nothing but sleep.
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Napping Boosts Your Physical & Mental Health
Getting enough, good-quality sleep has all kinds of physical and mental health benefits. In fact, a study led by Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston found that taking a nap could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, napping for 30 to 90 minutes has been linked to better word recall and improved cognition.
The thing is, if you’re sleep deprived, you open yourself up to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression. This is thanks to a weaker immune system, higher blood sugar levels and the cumulative effects of poor sleep on your mind.
When you’re well rested, however, your health gets a major boost. Your immune system will be stronger so you won’t fall prey to every bug going around. And because you feel fit and strong, you’re more likely to exercise often and eat well – which is good news for both body and mind!
Napping Is The Mark Of A Genius
Geniuses like Einstein knew how important naps were; you should too! And Einstein didn’t pull that amazing bed hair out of thin air. Because although we may never know what made the father of modern physics so damn clever, it seems that his sleeping habits may have had quite a bit to do with it.
Apparently Einstein didn’t believe in burning the candle at both ends; rather he enjoyed 10 hours of sleep each night and at least one nap per day. How he ever managed to get any work done is beyond me!
Ok so you might not have the luxury of sleeping quite this much. But the napping thing is definitely a smart move to make.
You’ll Be A Nicer Person
If the world could be a happier, more peaceful place through sleep alone, wouldn’t you want to contribute to this effect? Of course you would!
Getting enough sleep means you won’t be that irritable zombie who snaps at the barista for getting your coffee order wrong or who suffers from bouts of road rage. No, you’ll be a ‘glass half-full’ kind of person who thoughtfully remembers everyone’s birthdays and sends little gifts to brighten their day. You’ll be the optimist in the office, the one who enjoys their work and never had a bad word to say. Imagine, a world full of these more patient, well-rested people!
And you can start contributing to it now. Start by taking a nap and see how much better the world looks afterwards.
We’re Ultimately Mammals
Did you know that more than 85% of mammalian species are polyphasic sleepers. In other words they sleep for numerous short periods throughout the day. However, us humans operate with a monophasic sleep pattern. However, this routine which consists of one consolidated sleep period at night, may not be the most optimal way for us to rest and recharge.
As highlighted by The National Sleep Foundation “humans are part of the minority of monophasic sleepers, meaning that our days are divided into two distinct periods, one for sleep and one for wakefulness. It is not clear that this is the natural sleep pattern of humans. Young children and elderly persons nap, for example, and napping is a very important aspect of many cultures”.
At some point during our evolution, we decided to sleep at night and be awake in the day, which of course makes sense as we need light to work and play. However, our current sleep pattern may not necessarily be the best for our overall well-being. Adopting more of a polyphasic sleep pattern like other mammals (in other words napping more) could potentially be more beneficial for humans, as it allows for more frequent periods of rest and rejuvenation – something we all need, right?.
The Bottom Line
So, there it is folks – 6 ideal reasons for napping! Enjoy the benefits they bring to your life and don’t forget to spread the word about the power of a nap.