Taking a nap can help you refresh and refocus your mind and therefore be more productive. Unfortunately, in our workaholic culture, napping is often frowned upon: “That’s for lazy and unambitious people,” or for retirees who have lots of time on their hands.
Naps can be one of the most powerful tools for self-improvement, as they can improve not only our health and wellbeing, but intelligence and productivity as well, and this is something that great men have taken advantage of for a long time.
Nap Increases Alertness
A NASA study found higher surveillance measures in pilots who take a nap of 40 minutes, compared with the pilots who did not rest. Even with a nap of only 20 minutes, there was a positive impact on their health and performance. A small study found that even after a nap of only 10 minutes, the participants reported feeling more alert.
Improves Learning and Memory
Mental fatigue in your brain disappears because you get to sleep for a bit. This has been linked to the cognitive process, so it is not surprising that taking a longer nap offers some great benefits for your mental health. Indeed, functional MRI scans have shown brain activity is still higher in those who take a nap as compared to people who do not.
It Makes You More Creative
If you ever woke up suddenly wondering what is bothering you, you should know that after a nap, a burst of activity in the right hemisphere of the brain occurs, which is more strongly linked to creativity. A previous study found that longer naps where you reach REM sleep results in enhanced problem solving skills.
It Makes You More Productive
Experts agree an afternoon nap is, in fact, the opposite of laziness at work, as the nap can improve work output. A short nap can be the boost needed by employees, perhaps even more than a cup of coffee in the afternoon.
Improve Your Mood
Think about the last time you were with a child who had not napped. Not a pretty picture, right? Sleepiness and irritability are associated, even in adulthood, which by now we have learned that we should not throw tantrums, but still the discomfort persists.
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why you should take a nap during the day. Of course, do ask your boss beforehand if you plan to nap in the office!
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