What Happens To Your Body When You Take Afternoon Naps

 

 It’s been a long year, hasn’t it? And we’re only in March for crying out loud! For those of us stuck working at home, a nap seems to be always around the corner. I mean literally…You can go into the next room and collapse onto your couch for a half-hour. If that’s been your daily routine, you might be onto something.

Let’s talk about What Happens to Your Body When You Take Afternoon Naps. Do you become more alert? Will you feel a lot happier? Does your work performance improve? We’re talking all that and more.

You’re Able to Focus Better

Naps do a great deal for your cognitive function. Closing your eyes and resting will help you concentrate. It sets your mind right. This is especially important for people over 60. Studies have shown that people over this age who take afternoon naps feel much better as they get older.

Older adults who take naps on the regular tend to score higher on cognitive tests. This makes it much easier to concentrate on the task at hand. Even remembering specific details. Let’s say you have some errands to do throughout the day, but you’re having a difficult time concentrating.

A quick nap will help you get back on track. You’re better able to remember information. Napping generally helps you remember things. Like motor skills, sensory perception, and verbal abilities. Your brain just works better when you’re well-rested.

By the way, a nap should usually be about 10 to 20 minutes, but it can be longer. We’ve all had days where we’re a little too overwhelmed and just want to sleep. That being said, you don’t want to drift into a deep snooze and completely wipe away your day. It can really mess up your sleeping patterns.

A Healthier Heart

Did you know that a good nap can really improve the health of your heart? Research has shown that taking afternoon naps at least twice a week can result in a 50% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular problems. This includes things like strokes and heart attacks.

A study on Greek citizens from the 1980s showed that napping reduced the chances of suffering from coronary heart disease. Around a 37% lower risk to be exact. I mean seriously, this is a pretty good reason to take a nap.

After all, heart disease is the number 1 cause of death worldwide. It kills almost 18 million people every year. Whenever you get the chance, hit the couch and close your eyes for a moment. Your heart just might thank you.

You Become More Creative

Suffering from writer’s block? Every artist has moments where the brain just can’t seem to produce ideas. It’s like a cognitive drought. Well, one easy way to fight this is to take a nap. Allowing your brain to rest is a fantastic way to get the ideas flowing. Ever heard of REM sleep? Short for “Rapid Eye Movement”, REM (rem) sleep is the phase of sleep where the part of your brain which stores images and dreams is activated.

This is why we often wake up with really fun creative ideas. This is especially important for people in the creative arts, who rely on this part of the brain to be active. Many famous writers and film directors get some of their best work from their dreams the night before. But in order for this to happen, your nap needs to be a little longer than the standard 20 minutes. REM usually comes in between the 70 to 90-minute mark of sleep.

Not many of us have that amount of time to sleep during the day. But if you do, it might be a good idea to set your phone alarm and give it a go.

You’re In a Better Mood

Have people been telling you you’re a drag to be around? Are they always commenting on your mood? If you’ve been bringing the room down lately, you may want to consider some quick shuteye. A nap can make you feel much happier. Resting is a natural mood booster. Have you ever had a nap and woke up feeling fresh?

People who nap less than 60 minutes a day are found to be less impulsive, with a much greater tolerance for the people around them. This makes you a lot easier to be around. You’re not freaking out at other people over the smallest things.

On top of feeling happier, napping also does a lot in the way of stress relief. A quick rest allows people to think clearer. This way, you’re not as worked up. This allows you to do your job more efficiently. You’ll also enjoy life a lot more. Actually, let’s stay on the topic of job performance.

You’ll Do Your Job Much Easier

Remember earlier how I said that napping improves your memory? Well, this really matters when you’re at work. If you can’t remember crucial details and info, it could mean your job? A good 20-minute nap can enhance your performance in the workplace. Whether you’re sitting at a desk doing computer assignments or working heavy machinery.

While closing your eyes on the job is sort of frowned upon in most places, it wouldn’t hurt to find a quiet spot during lunch to nap. This way, you come back feeling refreshed. A nap before work is also related to reducing workplace accidents.

People who are well-rested create a much safer working environment. You don’t want to be falling asleep while operating a forklift. That’s not healthy for anybody.

You’re Much More Alert

Did you know that a nap can be more effective than drinking coffee? When we’re feeling tired, our first instinct is often to go for a hot cup of Joe. My mornings usually begin with a quick trip to the drive-thru. But if caffeine isn’t your thing, napping can be a healthy alternative.

If you’re headed to work, or need to drive somewhere late at night, get some quick rest if you can. A 20 to 30-minute nap can keep you alert while behind the wheel. Many experts suggest that driving while tired may have the same effects as driving while drunk.

If you’re really tired and you find yourself driving even a short distance, you could be putting lives at risk. A nap can also come in handy when you’re working the graveyard shift. Those late-night work schedules can really get to you if you’re not well-rested. High alertness, means better performance a higher production. The quality of your work will really improve.

It Affects Your Nighttime Sleep

This one is actually a mixed bag. But so far, all we’ve talked about are the positive effects of afternoon naps. This is especially important for older adults. A short afternoon nap between the times of 1pm to 3 may increase your chances of better rest during the night. You just need to make sure your nap isn’t too long.

Otherwise, it can get in the way of your sleep schedule and make you more tired. There is some conflicting research that shows that napping actually doesn’t affect the quality of your sleep. Some experts even suggest that naps will ruin it.

If you’re having insomnia, napping during the day will really hurt your snooze hours during the night.

Improved Learning

Remember how I said that napping in the afternoon helps your cognitive function? Being properly rested enhances your ability to absorb information. This really comes in handy when you’re studying for a big exam.

Research has backed this up. People who nap after studying are said to retain more factual information than people who don’t nap. The act of cramming a large amount of info is less useful than getting shuteye.

This way, your brain is getting a moment to breathe and take in the details it just read. This nap is usually shown to be an hour and happens in the mid-afternoon. Once you're finished napping, it’s good to continue on with your studies. The quality of your sleep is so important to your overall health.