{"id":2694,"date":"2019-07-27T15:52:42","date_gmt":"2019-07-27T13:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/?p=2694"},"modified":"2020-06-05T02:30:03","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T00:30:03","slug":"benefits-of-napping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/benefits-of-napping\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Benefits of Napping That You Shouldn’t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you sleep in the afternoon? According to research, we should sleep every time we have the urge. Sleeping for just 10\u201315 minutes during the day can have a tremendously positive impact on our health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>benefits of napping<\/span> are greater than you can imagine. As time goes by, our lives become more and more stressful. And sleep disturbances are a natural consequence of our busy schedules. We try to balance thousands of things at once\u2014work, family, children, friends, homework, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the fatigue becomes too much, it\u2019s hard to resist sleeping during the day. But what are the positives and negatives of doing so?<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do I Need a Nap Everyday<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Every moment we can steal a little leisure time is good for catching up on sleep and restoring some of our energy. But even though sleep usually helps us, it can hurt us as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason for this relates to the nature of the sleep. The <\/span>sleep cycle consists of several stages<\/span><\/a>, which are repeated several times a night. Whether we wake up rested or not depends precisely on which stage of sleep we wake up in.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are even several <\/span>napping benefits<\/span> for people who have no sleep problems at all. A quick rest of about 20 minutes is a great way to recover energy. Within this short time, our body manages to enter only the lightest phase of sleep, from which we have no problem waking up. What\u2019s more, we won\u2019t encounter the usual sense of fatigue that follows a long afternoon nap.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is a <\/span>midday nap<\/span> that lasts for around 90 minutes. It restores a good deal of our strength because this is about how long it takes to go through a full cycle of sleep. In particular, this could be beneficial both for <\/span>children<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>pregnant women<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t have trouble sleeping at night, naps that last longer than 20 minutes will make you feel tired. You should, however, avoid taking afternoon naps if you suffer from <\/span>insomnia<\/span><\/a>, or are often woken up at night because of <\/span>sleep apnea<\/span><\/a> or another sleep problem. Essentially, you won\u2019t see any <\/span>nap benefits<\/span> if you suffer from another sleep disturbance. Basically, when you don\u2019t rest at all or don\u2019t get the hours you need, then sleeping during the day will only lead to another night of partial sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are other reasons to worry about sleeping during the day. For example, constant fatigue can be a sign of illness: depression, diabetes, thyroid problems, other hormonal disorders, or a disrupted metabolism. The connection between <\/span>napping and depression<\/span> was proven long ago. Whether you\u2019re under stress or not, if you have sleep problems that last longer than a week, contact a doctor. When your body functions correctly, it\u2019s like a machine, and sleep is the key to proper maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exhaustion from a tense daily routine and other necessary engagements can hit us at any moment. When the afternoon arrives, many people feel an overwhelming desire to lie down, close their eyes, and let their thoughts shut down for a while. This is the <\/span>best time to nap<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An afternoon nap is usually beneficial for your health. To highlight this, we\u2019ve compiled 15 convincing reasons to support why napping is a good habit, so you should sleep during the day when you have the time. As for your little ones, it\u2019s a must. Even kids aged 5\u20136 years old who don\u2019t want to sleep like \u201cbabies\u201d shouldn\u2019t miss their daily nap if you want them to get all the best <\/span>health benefits of napping<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Biggest <\/b>Benefits of Napping<\/b><\/h2>\n

We should always listen to our body\u2019s signals, and if it needs sleep, it\u2019s okay to take a quick \u201csiesta.\u201d Here are the reasons napping can be good for you:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Napping improves cognitive functions.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sleep impacts how effectively we learn and our ability to retain information, so it\u2019s no wonder that an afternoon nap helps with the same. It\u2019s proven that sleeping for between 60 and 90 minutes stimulates mental activity for the next 24 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

During sleep, what you\u2019ve learned in the day repeats several times until it\u2019s built up in your memory, and some neural connections are strengthened. The <\/span>benefits of napping for college students<\/span> also include better learning capabilities, improved mental activity, and greater creativity. The mind loves sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Naps enhance your work capacity.<\/b><\/h3>\n

A NASA study<\/span><\/a> has shown that a short nap increases a person\u2019s work capacity by 100%.<\/span> Other studies<\/span><\/a> have found that an afternoon nap is more effective than 200 mg of caffeine or a quick workout.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Napping helps maintain heart health.<\/b><\/h3>\n

People who regularly take brief naps\u2014three times a week for 30 minutes\u2014significantly reduce their risk of a future heart problem. The <\/span>scientific benefits of napping<\/span> show a significant decline in the risk of developing ischemic (coronary) heart disease among the countries that have a regular \u201csiesta\u201d as part of the culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies at Harvard University<\/span><\/a> explain why people who regularly sleep in the afternoon are more protected from cardiovascular disease. This pleasant habit compensates for daily fatigue and the load it places on the heart and vessels. If you\u2019re looking for this kind of preventative effect, you won\u2019t need to ask, <\/span>Are naps good for you?<\/span> They definitely are. However, try to have a nap at least three times a week for 30 minutes each to achieve the full health benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Napping improves memory.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Scientists say a brief snooze that lasts between 20 and 30 minutes can greatly increase the brain\u2019s capacity to remember and store information. Enhancing memory is one of the best <\/span>benefits of naps for college students<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. A short nap can improve your creativity.<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Benefits<\/p>\n

Sleeping in the afternoon can help you cope with a creative crisis. Being hampered by the sense of a creative block is stressful. Luckily, the brain likes to sleep, which is how it restores itself. So if you need a creative push, just nap for half an hour! It\u2019s more effective than a cup of coffee, not to mention the other <\/span>health benefits of<\/span> a <\/span>siesta<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Napping reduces stress and anxiety.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Fatigue and mentally overloading cause stress that makes us even more tired. A greater quantity of quality sleep relieves stress and reduces <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>, and it helps us recharge. It can help you calm down and eliminate the sense of irritation and pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, scientists have found that a short snooze for 30\u201345 minutes during the day can reduce the stress hormones in our body and calm us, especially after a stressful event. Reducing stress is one of the essential <\/span>benefits of napping at work<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Regular naps score a victory over a big appetite.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sweet snacks and energy drinks seem like a quick way to refuel when we feel exhausted. Unfortunately, the benefits are actually uncertain, and there are also notable negatives behind this habit. Conversely, while napping, your energy is restored, and you don\u2019t think of food while you sleep. Even 10\u201315 minutes of relaxation with your eyes closed can free you from the desire to snack. According to science, this is one of the most critical <\/span>power nap benefits<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Sleeping during the day improves physical performance.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Studies<\/span><\/a> have shown that athletes who sleep for a short time during the day perform better, improving their motor skills, speed, reaction time, and strength. Whether you\u2019re a professional athlete or not, a 10-minute nap during the day will undoubtedly improve your performance in whatever <\/span>physical activity<\/span><\/a> you engage in, improve your reactions, and make you more alert. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that you\u2019ll have to overcome the initial <\/span>sleep inertia<\/span> after you wake up.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Napping can improve your resolve and will.<\/b><\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re tired, your resolve declines sharply to the point where it\u2019s sometimes impossible to finish your daily tasks. For this reason, a short afternoon nap improves mood, reduces stress, and restores focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Naps can help you look better.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sleeping during the day is associated with the regeneration of skin cells, making you person look younger, healthier, and more beautiful. So don\u2019t skip your nap today!<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Napping increases sexual desire.<\/b><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>benefits of an afternoon nap<\/span> include enhanced sexual desire, especially for women. The mutual relationship between sleep, sexual desire, and arousal has been known for decades. Scientific findings indicate that insufficient sleep decreases sexual arousal and desire in women.<\/span><\/p>\n

12. A short afternoon nap can improve your mood.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, regulates sleep, appetite, and mood and creates a sense of satisfaction. Under stressful conditions, however, more serotonin is used while less is synthesized. As a result, people become irritable, depressed, worried, and disconcerted. Even if you can\u2019t afford <\/span>taking 2-hour naps everyday<\/span>, whenever you do take a nap, more serotonin is released, and all these processes could be avoided.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Regular napping generally improves health.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lack of sleep<\/span><\/a> leads to increased levels of the hormone cortisol in the body. This is the stress hormone that increases glucose intolerance and fat accumulation around the abdomen, weakens the muscular and immune systems, worsens the learning and memory processes, and reduces levels of the growth hormone and testosterone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nap facts<\/span> show that during sleep, the growth hormone is released, which prevents these effects. As a result, <\/span>napping<\/span><\/a> improves the immune system and sexual function, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps you restore muscle mass and lose weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, a quick nap during the day helps <\/span>people with obesity<\/span><\/a> lose weight by stimulating the metabolism and speeding up the secretion of biochemical substances that help break down fat.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Napping will reduce your need for caffeinated products.<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Benefits<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been shown that an afternoon nap can reduce the desire for harmful substances such as <\/span>caffeine<\/span><\/a> and nicotine. Many people complain that they don\u2019t sleep deeply or for enough time at night, but they choose to replace an afternoon nap with caffeine. This could be one of the most positive <\/span>benefits of napping for students<\/span>, especially since they often overuse caffeine-rich drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

15. Napping could help soothe a migraine.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Interestingly, a short rest during a migraine attack can alleviate its symptoms. Since the symptoms can vary from mild to severe, a simple approach is best for helping patients survive an episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for a Better Quality Nap<\/b><\/h2>\n

Scientists say that regularly sleeping in the early afternoon may significantly contribute to both physical health, refresh the mind, and improve concentration. Therefore, to harness all the known <\/span>napping benefits, <\/span>here are some suggestions:<\/span><\/p>\n