I love naps - but unfortunately I have not used them well in my life.
I grew up with two myths that have not served me very well.
The first myth was that the reason I am tired and groggy in the mid afternoon hours is because I ate too much for lunch.
The second myth is that people who take naps in the middle of the day are lazy.
I am now aware that there is a deeper biological reason as to why I experience the mid-day slump and that it has nothing to do with my lunch or my level of motivation.
You and I are wired to take a little time during the day...
and sleep! And not feel guilty about it.
Industrialized society and our modern life style has changed our sleeping habits with little concern as to whether it is good for us or not.
Taking a mid-day nap doesn't sit well with most of our employers because they still cling to the myth that the time spent napping is not productive.
More and more research is confirming just the opposite.
Fortunately, there are more and more companies who are starting to see the light and are building nap times into the work day.
A few anyway...
most still promote taking another shot of caffeine (the good old fashioned coffee break) and pushing their employees on through the day.
Every other animal that inhabits this planet takes naps, and as high and mighty as we might think ourselves to be, we have not outgrown our need for this.
If you will notice, children and older adults, naturally take naps during the day.
It is only the working stiffs, who because of work demands and our societal clock, have forgone the nap.
There are still some countries and cultures who value the mid-day siesta, many of which are located close to the equator.
Scientists feel this is reflective of our evolutionary based, biological need to rest and escape from the hot afternoon heat.
Study after study has shown the benefits of increased alertness, productivity, and physical well being that occurs when people are allowed to get even 15 minutes of nap time during the day.
Dr.
Anthony Will, a leading sleep research scientist, has stated that most people would greatly benefit from a 20-60 minute nap sometime between 12 and 3 during the day.
For early risers, the optimal time would be around 12 pm.
For the late night folks, it would be more around 2-3 pm.
He also has suggested that enlightened companies incorporate napping into their work culture, by creating not only nap time, but by having nap rooms or nap tents or even "napnasiums.
" Here are some things to keep in mind as you build that little moment of heavenly, blissful sleep into your day: - try to make the nap at least 20 minutes long but no more than an hour.
But remember that even a brief nap is better than none at all.
Even a few moments of quiet meditation or prayer can work wonders.
- if you don't want to take a long nap, set an alarm.
-don't consume any caffeine after 3 pm.
-find a comfortable, quiet place where you won't have any interruptions -let people around you know, that this is your nap time and you do not want to be disturbed.
If they don't like it...
they will get over it...
maybe they will even wise up and start taking a nap as well.
I grew up with two myths that have not served me very well.
The first myth was that the reason I am tired and groggy in the mid afternoon hours is because I ate too much for lunch.
The second myth is that people who take naps in the middle of the day are lazy.
I am now aware that there is a deeper biological reason as to why I experience the mid-day slump and that it has nothing to do with my lunch or my level of motivation.
You and I are wired to take a little time during the day...
and sleep! And not feel guilty about it.
Industrialized society and our modern life style has changed our sleeping habits with little concern as to whether it is good for us or not.
Taking a mid-day nap doesn't sit well with most of our employers because they still cling to the myth that the time spent napping is not productive.
More and more research is confirming just the opposite.
Fortunately, there are more and more companies who are starting to see the light and are building nap times into the work day.
A few anyway...
most still promote taking another shot of caffeine (the good old fashioned coffee break) and pushing their employees on through the day.
Every other animal that inhabits this planet takes naps, and as high and mighty as we might think ourselves to be, we have not outgrown our need for this.
If you will notice, children and older adults, naturally take naps during the day.
It is only the working stiffs, who because of work demands and our societal clock, have forgone the nap.
There are still some countries and cultures who value the mid-day siesta, many of which are located close to the equator.
Scientists feel this is reflective of our evolutionary based, biological need to rest and escape from the hot afternoon heat.
Study after study has shown the benefits of increased alertness, productivity, and physical well being that occurs when people are allowed to get even 15 minutes of nap time during the day.
Dr.
Anthony Will, a leading sleep research scientist, has stated that most people would greatly benefit from a 20-60 minute nap sometime between 12 and 3 during the day.
For early risers, the optimal time would be around 12 pm.
For the late night folks, it would be more around 2-3 pm.
He also has suggested that enlightened companies incorporate napping into their work culture, by creating not only nap time, but by having nap rooms or nap tents or even "napnasiums.
" Here are some things to keep in mind as you build that little moment of heavenly, blissful sleep into your day: - try to make the nap at least 20 minutes long but no more than an hour.
But remember that even a brief nap is better than none at all.
Even a few moments of quiet meditation or prayer can work wonders.
- if you don't want to take a long nap, set an alarm.
-don't consume any caffeine after 3 pm.
-find a comfortable, quiet place where you won't have any interruptions -let people around you know, that this is your nap time and you do not want to be disturbed.
If they don't like it...
they will get over it...
maybe they will even wise up and start taking a nap as well.