I always been a big proponent of adult nap time! I find it encouraging that many progressive U.S. like the ones you mentioned in reason #6 are embracing this concept, and making it an employee benefit. Well done Alex!
12 Most Plausible Reasons to Take a Nap
According to studies on the topic, we’re all sleep deprived and only getting worse. We’re over stimulated, over caffeinated, and overtired. So, why don’t we take more naps?
Well, naps are generally (and falsely) considered to be the domain of children and the elderly. Everyone can benefit from taking naps, and here are 12 of the most plausible reasons to take a nap.
1. Increase productivity
Studies have shown that a nap can improve productivity. In an era where we all work too hard and vacation too little, who would turn down the chance to be more productive at no real cost? Best of all, you can consider the nap an investment in your more productive future!
2. Increase alertness
This goes without saying, being more awake and more rested means that you’re more alert. After all, that’s one of the reasons we drink coffee — to feel like we’ve had more sleep and are more alert! Studies have shown that ongoing sleep deprivation, even by a small amount, can have serious impacts!
3. Increase safety
As a by product of napping increasing alertness, there’s also an increase in safety. Tired people make mistakes. For example, a number of studies indicate that on the day we “spring forward” for daylight’s savings time, traffic accidents spike higher than average.
4. Increased sleep means less reliance on stimulants
Sugar and caffeine both help wake you up, but both also lead to energy crashes after. There are also a host of other side effects to excessive consumption of sugar and caffeine. However, there are no side effects to a well-planned nap. So, obviously naps win out as a better long-term strategy.
5. Improved mood
Sleep deprivation makes us grumpy, but a quick nap can do a lot to reverse that. When you think about it, wouldn’t the world be a nicer place if we all were in a better mood?
6. Successful people and companies are doing it
Nike, Google and Zappos are all companies with nap rooms. They also happen to be pretty darn successful. Maybe they know something that other companies should pick up on? Also, the list of famous napping people includes Edison, Da Vinci, Churchill, JFK, and others. That’s not a bad group to be included in!
7. Improve your health the fun way
A study found that regular naps can help lower the risk of heart disease. Who said taking your medicine can’t be fun?
8. Improved memory and learning
Studies indicate that people who nap after studying improve their scores on subsequent tests, indicating that the nap time provided their brains with critical time to process what was learned.
9. Reduced stress
This doesn’t even need an explanation. A great nap just makes people feel better!
10. Boost creativity
Power napping allows your brain to process information, and it lets your subconscious work it’s magic and find associations and creative combinations of ideas.
11. Balance out your hormones
Sleep deprivation disrupts the hormones in your body, which can lead to diabetes-like conditions, lowered metabolism, and reduced ability to process carbohydrates. That’s a scary combination from sleep deprivation!
12. Stop the poor sleep cycle
We all have bad sleep patterns, and we try to balance them out with caffeine, sugar, and sleeping in late on the weekend. If we balanced it out, we’d stop the cycle and give ourselves more time in which we feel better!
So, why wait? Go find yourself a comfortable place and grab a short power nap! Your body (and maybe your boss) will thank you!
Featured image courtesy of Coletivo Mambembe licensed via Creative Commons.
Alex Conde
Alex is an adventurer in life. He writes about experiments in happiness at Searching for Happy. He also tweets about every subject under the sun @alexconde - tweet him anytime, he loves a good chat.
14 comments
TY4 RT @arkarthick: 12 Most Plausible Reasons to Take a Nap http://t.co/kC9pVY1h | #12Most via @12Most RT @frielingbailey
I've definitely kicked this idea around when I get that mid-afternoon lull. I absolutely agree about reducing stress. Several of us have jobs that never seem to slow down even on evenings and weekends. I know I've felt my heart rate kick up when I get notifications go off on the laptop, iPhone and iPad within seconds of each other.
Naps and exercise/hobbies would go a long way to providing balance and relaxation.
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#13 - Because you had too much wine the night before. Oops...did I type that outloud?
@reneedobbs That's not a reason most other people might accept, but let's face it, it's a great reason! If you're completely nonfunction, a nap is a great way to get better!
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@whentoyzattack Mine is "...or I could be a raving bitch. Your choice." Works for some #zzzzzs everytime. lol
I have said it before, and I will say it again: I LOVE ME SOME NAPS. The biggest struggle I have had with using power naps is I tend to form a habit that leads to dependency. That is, most habits take a couple of months to really form. With power naps, though, it only takes about a week of taking a 30 minute nap each afternoon until I can't function without one.
It is worse than developing a dependency on afternoon coffee!
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