Everyone can appreciate a good nap. They are the best way to finish off a busy day and catch up on some rest when you need it. But do you know about the real benefits of naps?
Of course, we perform better when we are well rested. Being sleep deprived can cause a world of issues for you, ranging from physical ailments to emotional issues. Here is what a recent study found:
Whether we are sleep deprived or not, we lose focus at times. And that is precisely where the sleep deprived person lands in a trap. Once we start to lose focus and have received the right amount of sleep, our brain can compensate for that and increase attention. If we are sleep deprived, our brain can’t refocus
Napping has benefits by itself. There have been several studied performed on the effects and benefits of napping. In fact, most doctors and scientists recommend that you have one every day! New studies have shown that napping can actually improve your cognitive function, creative thinking, and memory performance. In one study of 23,681 Greek men over six years, the participants who napped three times per week had a 37% lower risk of dying from heart disease. Naps also significantly improve your memory. They are known to benefit our learning abilities, aiding us to take in more and remember it longer.
In another study, participants memorized illustrated cards to test their memory strength. After memorizing a set of cards, they had a 40-minute break wherein one group napped, and the other stayed awake. After the break, both groups were tested on their memory of the cards, and the group who had napped performed better.
Much to the surprise of the researchers, the sleep group performed significantly better, retaining on average 85 percent of the patterns, compared to 60 percent for those who had remained awake.
But how long are we supposed to nap? 15 minutes, an hour, or maybe even two hours? Well, it really depends on a lot of different circumstances. If you want to know how long you should be napping, watch the video below!