The Benefits on Napping

Nap Letter Pillows

by Shopdirtsa

Yesterday was one of those days.  I was tired, cranky, and everything seemed to be going wrong...but yet nothing was going wrong.  My solution....the age-old remedy of a nice quiet afternoon nap.  This was so beneficial to me, that not only did I talk a nap, but I slept very well....my planned 30 minute nap lasted a whole 2 hours.  It's been a very long times since I had a nap of these standards, but WOW it was worth it.


In honor of the nap, I've taken it upon myself to do some research on napping.  All the links to the material is given below, these are NOT my own thoughts, but other people's words and writings.  The items I've featured from Etsy are also accompanied with the name of the item, seller name, and direct links to those items so that you can purchase them if you wish.


And, without further-ado, here's what I've learned:

• "Many people experience a natural increase in drowsiness in the afternoon, about 8 hours after waking. And research shows that you can make yourself more alert reduce stress and improve cognitive functioning with a nap. Mid-day sleep, or a ‘power nap’, means more patience, less stress, better reaction time, increased learning, more efficiency and better health."  Click here to read the full article.

Puppy Nap Time

by Trina's Clay Creations

• "A recent study in the research journal Sleep examined the benefits of naps of various lengths and no naps. The results showed that a 10-minute nap produced the most benefit in terms of reduced sleepiness and improved cognitive performance. A nap lasting 30 minutes or longer is more likely to be accompanied by sleep inertia, which is the period of grogginess that sometimes follows sleep." Click here to read the full article.

Chillin'

by NatureIsArt

• Sleep is integral to good health. And lack of sleep rears its ugly head in many ways (Click here to go to the full article):
• A weakened immune system. People who sleep less than six hours per night have 50 percent less resistance to viral infection compared to those who get eight hours of sleep.
• Weight gain. A lack of sleep lowers leptin levels in your brain and raises ghrelin levels in your stomach. What’s that? They’re the hormones responsible for regulating your appetite. Sleep deprivation brings on cravings of carbs, sugars and junk foods. Less sleep=a higher chance of being obese.
• Diabetes. A lack of sleep can increase the likelihood of developing diabetes by overstimulating the central nervous system, which in turn affects the ability of your pancreas to churn out enough insulin to regulate your body’s glucose levels.

Sleep Eye Mask

by DoodleBugsFunFabrics

• Health Benefits of Napping: With a nap come amazing health benefits:
• Naps help you learn, and retain what you learn
• Naps lower your blood pressure and risk for heart disease and stroke
• Naps reduce stress
• Naps boost your mood
• Naps increase your productivity
• Naps speed up the rate at which we learn new information.  View this article here.

Morning Nap

by HeidiAdnum

• Tips for Successful Napping
• Make it twenty or ninety minutes. That’s because when you sleep, your body goes through five distinct sleep cycles (very light through very heavy). The idea is to wake during a lighter sleep stage, which will help you feel truly invigorated rather than sleepier than when you started.
• Block out light with an eyeshade. Light can interfere with the ability to sleep- it sends signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up.
• Block out noise with earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, a fan, the air conditioner, or anything else that resembles white noise.
• Get as close to a bedtime situation as you can. You don’t have to don PJs, but at least lie down if you can, or lean back in your chair. Make sure your head and limbs are supported so you don’t jerk yourself awake when your head flops forward or your neck snaps back!
• Turn down the heat. According to researchers, optimal sleep temperature hovers between 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Clear your head. Try to forget everything you have to do. How about writing it all down before you close your eyes?

I Like Naps Tote Bag

by TheBoldBanana

• "In spite of these benefits, napping isn't always the best option for everyone. For example, some people have trouble sleeping any place other than their own bed, making a nap at the office or anywhere else unlikely. Other people simply have trouble sleeping in the daytime; it could be that certain individuals are more sensitive to the midday dip than others – those who are may feel sleepier and have an easier time napping. Finally, naps can leave people with sleep inertia, especially when they last more than 10-20 minutes. Sleep inertia can take time to wear off and has been known to impair performance." Click here to read the full article.

Lazy Summer Afternoon Note Cards

by PawsFurAMoment

So today, if you're feeling a little drowsy, take a lesson from our friends featured above, and pause for a quiet nap.