Healthy Reasons To Become a Power Napper
I have never been a fan of naps. It always seemed strange to me to just drop off in the middle of the day. But I have had to reconsider the whole issue as researchers tell us what short naps can do.
New Research Supports Power Naps
Frontline Desk reported German research that said an hour nap can boost and improve memory performance by five times. They used word tests and found that the participants who got the power naps did much better in recall. Other researchers also found power naps boost memory, lower stress and up our mood and work performance.
I believe enough sleep, in whatever form we get it, does keep us at the top of our game. Many researchers have pointed out the dangers of sleep deprivation and the need for at least seven hours of sleep a night. And I know that I do a better job when I feel rested.
So does that mean you should be napping at work?
Of course that depends on you and your job. In some workplaces, the 15 or 20 minute afternoon break you take outside talking with co-workers could be turned into a power nap. Or, if you routinely work late, that half hour or hour in between the regular work day and the extra night session might let you fit in a power nap too.
If you always feel a little tired and wish you could get that sharp brain that shows up with a shot of espresso, this might be a healthier way to do it. Recent research has shown coffee may set up its own circular pattern of withdrawal that requires more coffee to be alert. So rescuing your brain with short injections of sleep might be a much better choice. If you have a way to do it you might try the power nap at work and see what your memory makes of it. The difference between fuzzy thinking and instant recall is familiar to all of us. We just need to choose the best methods to get it.
Overall, I think we should watch for more powernap research results and make sure we are getting enough sleep every day, however we can work it out. If sleep is an issue for you, and it not getting solved, see your doctor to do a checkout for any other issues that may be causing problems.
