Napping Is Awesome, And Here's Why

Nap! It’s good for you.

There’s a sentence which will be music to many ears.

Nope, there’s no catch – napping, having a kip, getting some shut-eye, or whatever you know it as, is good for your health.

Managing your homeostatic sleep drive – that is, that feeling of needing sleep, which should be low upon waking up and gradually increase throughout the day, is tough for all of us. (and it’s also my favourite technical term that I’ve learned today).

So, why are naps good for you?

Pretty basic, but super important – they provide rest.

They improve cognitive function.

You know that feeling of euphoria and contentment after a really good kip? Naps can also improve your mood.

I said there wasn’t a catch, but as with everything, there are some downsides.

Napping for too long can be counterproductive. A lengthy nap can leave you feeling groggy, tired and lethargic – not ideal if you’ve got to be alert enough to do an important task.

Naps can sometimes make it harder to sleep at night, particularly if you experience sleep disorders such as insomnia.

But hey, lets look at the main benefits.

Getting a bit of shut-eye for 15-20 minutes, perhaps during your lunchbreak, can absolutely refresh your mind in time to get back to your desk and be productive.

Naps can also allow your mind to process events from earlier in the day.

However, It’s important to nap at a sensible time of day as well. Much like caffeine consumption, if a nap is taken too late in the day it can be counterproductive towards your overall sleep cycle.

So, how to take the perfect nap?

Pick a time around midday, or maybe just before or after lunch.

Set an alarm.

Find a clear, relaxing area.

Wind down beforehand – just like you would at night.

Napping isn’t for everyone, and some people find that they don’t gain much benefit from it. But many people do, and the great news is that it’s good for your health and, if you’ve got a spare few minutes during the afternoon, it’s not a bad idea to catch up on sleep.

However, having a regular urge to nap can be a sign of poor quality sleep at night. If this is the case for you, it’s highly recommended to seek medical advice.

That’s it for today, happy napping!

Matt x

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