Skip to content

Forgot To Think

Interesting Stories From All Over The World

Menu
  • About Us
  • DMCA/Removal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submit Content
Menu
benefits of napping

5 Incredible Ways Daily Naps Can Improve Your Overall Health And Well-Being

Posted on April 14, 2018April 13, 2018 by Sasha

Cats know it. Babies know it. So why don’t we know it?

Going all day and pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion is sometimes a necessity, but there are other times when catching some midday shut-eye is actually in your best interest. We’re talking about napping, of course!

While sneaking a little sleep might be traditionally frowned upon in the adult world, it turns out that napping regularly is actually one of the best things you can do for your body and your mind. And yet it’s still wasted on preschoolers and denied to the rest of us!

It seems like common sense when you think about it. You get drowsy in the middle of the day, and stretching out on a couch for just a few minutes sounds fantastic. And studies have shown that it actually is!

Just like how enjoying a good laugh both feels great and has serious physical and mental benefits, napping is also one of those things that we love doing for a reason. Amazing how our body gives us those hints, right?

Read on to see how napping can benefit your body, mind, and mood, and you might just get the urge to lean back and take a little nap yourself!

Benefits Of Napping
Benefit #1: Sharpens Cognitive Functions

benefits of napping

We all know that if you don’t get enough sleep at night, you’re definitely not on your game the next day.

And just as sleep affects learning and information retaining abilities, so do naps.

Taking a 60 to 90-minute nap has been shown to boost mental performance for up to 24 hours afterwards.

Benefit #2: Improves Heart Health

benefits of napping

A study at Harvard showed that people who nap regularly are less likely to have heart health issues later in life.

Napping makes up for a lack of sleep that can wreak havoc on heart health that, unfortunately, a lot of us experience.

So what’s a regular nap? At least three times a week, for at least 30 minutes.

Benefit #3: Reduces Stress And Anxiety

benefits of napping

Being tired causes stress, which makes you even more tired. But napping can reverse that, soothing you right at the peak time of stress.

A study in 2012 showed that three stress hormones spiked when their participants didn’t nap, causing more health-damaging stress.

This is especially important for men to note, since they’re more likely to have stress-related health issues than women.

Benefit #4: Fights Food Cravings

benefits of napping

When you’re tired and craving energy, it makes sense that you’d want something to eat.

But that’s also a great way to eat a lot more junk food than you mean to, which can lead to its own set of problems.

Napping is an alternative to snacking in that it boosts energy and stops you from thinking about food — because you’re asleep! Just a 10 to 15 minute nap can get rid of a craving.

Benefit #5: Improves Physical Performance

benefits of napping

Napping seems like the opposite of working out, but in fact, studies show that athletes who take short naps perform better on the field, improving their motor reaction skills and speed.

Tips For A Better Nap
Tip #1: Set A Timer

benefits of napping

Depending on your needs, a nap can range from five to 45 minutes, but it seems most people don’t like a 30-minute nap.

Experiment with different times until you find one that makes you feel best.

A timer will also help you get up on time to finish your day.

Tip #2: Nap In The Afternoon

benefits of napping

The early afternoon seems to be the best time to nap.

It’s about the midway point in the day, and it’s usually after you’ve had something to eat.

Napping too late in the afternoon can mess up your night’s sleep, and napping too early might not get you to last the rest of the day.

Tip #3: Choose Optimal Conditions

benefits of napping

The best place to take a nap is in a cool, dim area. It shouldn’t be too dark or you’ll fall into a deep sleep.

It’s also easier to sleep in a place that’s slightly cooler, using a blanket to keep out too much chill.

It’s also a good idea to keep your head elevated, like on the arm of a couch.

Tip #4: Have Nap Accessories

benefits of napping

Yes, naps need accessories, too.

You’ll need your cell phone or a timer to set your alarm, a cup of coffee or tea to drink before the nap, and a sleep mask if you’re napping in a bright area. You can also grab a pencil.

Set your timer and drink your coffee or tea. The caffeine will kick in after you wake up and you’ll be ready to go.

Some people also nap with a pencil between their fingers. Your fingers will slowly relax, and you’ll wake when the pencil hits the floor.

Tip #5: Get Plenty of Sleep

benefits of napping

Sleep is not a luxury. It’s just as necessary to your health as food and water, but most people still don’t get enough of it. Consider this statistic:

48 percent of Americans say they feel sleep deprived — but only 34 percent nap regularly.

So maybe we need to rethink how we sleep. Let’s bring back nap time!

So there you have it! There’s nothing wrong with napping, and it certainly doesn’t make you lazy.

If you’ve been feeling stressed or anxious, make some time during the day to take a quick nap, even just 10 minutes.

You might notice yourself feeling more energized and relaxed — and maybe a lot happier.

If you know someone who might like this, please click “Share!”

©2023 Forgot To Think | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT