Naptime is Now For Everyone!
It is time to relax. You have been up early all day and now it is time for a nap. The first question we usually ask ourselves is how long should I sleep? We have all been lying in bed around 2 o’clock ready to sleep, but with no predetermined length of time in which to do it. The temptation is very real to lie down to sleep for several hours. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, that can have some benefits. However, most people do not have the time to sleep their entire day away, even as much as they may want to. To help us out, here are some benefits of naps and easy rules to follow.
As a college student it is easy to stay awake all night, and wake up the next day to go to class. As we get older, our bodies need more care then we provide to them in our youth. There are different stages to sleep, each with it’s own unique benefits to your body.
- If you nap for 20 minutes or less, it will provide a boost towards your mental processes, and your motor skills.
- Between 30-60 minutes will increase your retention skills. This will help with studying or even accomplishing a list you made for the day.
- Finally from 60 to 90 minutes there is a drop down into the REM stage of sleep, or stage four. This will enable you to continue making physical connections within your brain, expanding the limits of your thinking power.
Nap length is important according to what you are trying to accomplish, but how you nap is just as critical to get the most out of your quiet time. Make sure you try to eliminate as much light as possible from the room through whatever means possible. It decreases distractions to the eyes, and enables you to relax faster. Make sure you are in a comfy position, preferably with a blanket.
Having a schedules naptime is essential to making a nap work, and the number one step in the process. If you constantly surprise your body with a nap it will be difficult to fall a sleep quickly. Your body will also be groggier if the nap goes longer than 20 minutes, so if this is a primary concern for you, make sure to keep them short!
Finally, naptime is supposed to be nothing but a positive experience. Make sure before you initiate your nap that you set aside any distractions that could harm the process. If you have time to meditate beforehand, do so. That will let you approach your nap entirely relaxed. If you do not have the time to meditate, breathe deeply in and out as you lay down to help purge your body of stress. Give the process a try so that you can be productive in the morning and the evening. Our day does not usually stop at dinner so plan accordingly so you can seize each day to the fullest.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Dan Mitler
