How many of you out there take a “NAP” (short sleep during the day) often? For lots of people, napping is not a viable option due to the hectic daily nature of their lives: working a fulltime job, having custodial age children, commuting to and back from work etc.: There is simply no time during the day to take a short snooze. However, for people not tasked with as many responsibilities, nodding off for 30-60 minutes during the day is a viable activity. So, for those that do take a daily nap, is this beneficial or harmful to your health?
Here are potential benefits of a nap:
- Improved mood: Naps can help you feel less frustrated and more emotionally stable Better memory: Naps can help you recall facts and improve your word recall
- Increased alertness: Naps can help you pay attention and be more alert during the day
- Better performance: Naps can help you learn new skills and improve your reaction time
- Creative mindset: Naps can help you be more creative and deal with frustration
- Recharged energy: Naps can help you get out of an afternoon slump and recharge your energy
- Reduced stress: Naps can help you reduce stress and heal physical and mental harm
- Promotes growth and recovery: Naps can help your body regenerate muscle and tissue
And for the potential harmful impacts of napping:
- Disrupted nighttime sleep: Napping too late in the day or for too long can interfere with your body’s natural sleep cycle, making it difficult to fall asleep at night.
- Sleep inertia: Waking up from a long nap can leave you feeling groggy and disoriented, a state known as sleep inertia.
- Potential health concerns: Studies have linked frequent or long naps with an increased risk of health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Masking sleep disorders: If you regularly feel the need for long naps, it could be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder like sleep apnea or insomnia, which should be evaluated by a doctor
Studies have also shown that napping may be more beneficial in younger populations than older .
Sifting through the studies, my opinion is that if napping does not negatively impact your nighttime sleep, the benefits of napping exceed the risks. Take that siesta!
And here is the Number One song to listen for helping people sleep: “Weightless”.
