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Understanding the Role Naps Play In Your Health

Naps aren’t just something that your kids do, or you wish you could do. They are an important part in helping you function in daily life. In many cases, it’s hard for working individuals to take the time to nap, but there are many benefits of napping ready to prove that no matter how busy you are, you should always take the time to nap.

Quick Naps

It’s important to remember that when you are trying to maximize the results that you get from napping, the key is to not overindulge. When you lay down in the afternoon and sleep for several hours, you are actually doing yourself a disservice.

This is especially important to remember because when you oversleep in the afternoon or late evening, you will adversely affect how you sleep at night. At night adults should always strive to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. Although that may not always be an easy goal to achieve, napping is appropriate for everyone, and not just children.

So when we define a quick nap, we are talking about a nap that takes about 20 to 30 minutes, which is exactly what you need. When you wake from this nap, you should feel rested and recharged. Additionally, a shorter nap will be more attainable for adults. You don’t have to try to find the time in your day to nap for over an hour if you know that the shorter time actually benefits you more.

Benefits of Napping

Napping will not only help to provide you with energy throughout the remainder of your day, but will also help you to refocus. Often times, the stress of the day begins to weigh on your mind and you will find yourself struggling to pay attention and give it your best.

After you take a quick nap, you’ll be more alert, which allows you to focus and pay better attention to what you’re doing. Especially if you drive to and from work, taking a few minutes out of your lunch break to nap can be crucially beneficial.

During the winter months, when it gets cold and dark early, that commute home can be brutal with drooping eyelids and warm air blowing around you in your car. This can create a very dangerous situation, even more so if you live in a location where the possibility of deer jumping out in front of your car is prevalent.

Lastly, new research is being done connecting napping and heart disease, or rather a decrease in it. Because napping provides you with quiet and peaceful time, studies are beginning to show that it may help with your stress levels. These stress levels can lead to hypertension and plaque building in your arteries, so napping is now considered a healthy choice for those who may currently suffer or have a higher chance of suffering from heart disease.

Don’t Let The Stereotypes Get You Down

Too often in our society, people who may take naps could be considered lazy, not motivated, or even old. But those sentiments are foolish, because taking naps is a great way to help your body to stay healthy, alert, and active. Additionally, taking a nap can also help to restore your mood, and leave you feeling better than before you slept. All of the above benefits of napping outweigh any kind of negative stereotype that may exist.

In today’s day and age, it’s important to take care of yourself. So by taking 20 to 30 minutes out of your day to let your mind and body relax, you will be doing yourself a world of good. When you are ready to take your nap, please contact us so you can find the perfect mattress to relax and refresh your mind and body.