Time is money. Perhaps that’s why humans are the only animals that try to get all their sleep in one long stretch.
People with pets know that cats and dogs, for example, take several naps a day. Maybe this explains why we often envy them… wouldn’t it be great if we could lie down for a few minutes after lunch every day? But we humans can also make power naps a part of our daily routine.
A power nap is a short period of daytime sleep, enough to rejuvenate you when you feel exhausted. Sleeping or even resting for a short while when you feel tired in the middle of the day .
Benefits of Power Nap:
Studies show that 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon provides more rest than 20 minutes more sleep in the morning (though the last two hours of morning sleep have special benefits of their own). The body seems to be designed for this, as most people’s bodies naturally become more tired in the afternoon, about 8 hours after we wake up.It makes you more patient, reduces stress, increases efficiency, and improves your overall health.
Tips for Your Power Nap:
Here are several tips for your next siesta:
A)Choose the right time:
A nap at midday or in early afternoon can give you a boost of energy. A late-afternoon snooze, on the other hand, can disrupt your nightly sleep cycle.
B)Drink a coffee before your power nap:
Because it takes 20 minutes for your body to feel the effect of the caffeine contained within coffee, it’s okay to drink a cup before a power nap: when you wake up, the black beverage will provide you with an extra kick of energy.
C)Make yourself comfortable:
If you work from home, it’s easy to squeeze in a nap at lunchtime-you can sleep in your bed or get cozy on the couch. You have to go to the office? Then you need to plan a bit better: perhaps there is a nap room at work you can use. If not, you will have to make the best of it at your desk (cross your arms on the desk and place your head on top) or lean back in your office chair as far as possible (without falling over, of course). Relaxing music (with headphones) can help you to tune out background noises.
D)Get your blood pumping:
People sometimes wake up feeling more tired than they did before, because your blood pressure can drop after a nap. Therefore, it is important to stimulate your circulation when you wake up: the best way to do this is by drinking a glass of (lemon) water or doing a little exercise. Walking up stairs or doing a few stretches are two good methods of getting your heart up to speed.