{"id":7502,"date":"2019-07-06T09:37:33","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T09:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7502"},"modified":"2021-06-16T14:06:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T14:06:37","slug":"15-health-benefits-of-taking-a-power-nap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-health-benefits-of-taking-a-power-nap\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Health Benefits of Taking a Power Nap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Personally, I haven\u2019t been in the habit of napping too often.  But, after doing the research\u2026 I think I might start.  The benefits seem to be well worth finding the time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that keeping it to about 10-180 minutes will keep you away from sleep inertia (the point at which your body want to keep on sleeping, so you awaken groggily), but long enough to get the benefits that are listed below here.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts say that for the traditional person in America, the ideal time to take your siesta will be around 1-3 PM.  Again, this is for the traditional daytime worker, who stays busy and ideally is able to get in a little bit of exercise in their day.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This here creates the ideal cocktail for rest, rejuvenation, and optimal performance ability.  If you\u2019re able to find the same spot to take it in each day, that\u2019s even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mood:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking a nap in the middle of the day can increase serotonin <\/a>levels and re-stabilize homeostasis in the body.\u00a0 When done in combination with light exercise during a day\u2019s time, your mood can see a real boost.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have a full day, but take a break for a nap in the middle claim their mood is more relaxed and natural afterward, as compared to when they do not take a nap.  They find socialization more natural feeling and feel a greater sense of peace and contentment.  You may find it hard to find time during your day to add in a power nap.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your time and allow for the process of trial and error to find when and where is your best time and place to take your siesta (mid-day short nap).  Maybe it is in your car with some gentle music playing on your lunch break?  Maybe it is at your home if you live close to where you work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Energy:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people can see how taking a short siesta in the middle of the day would help their energy <\/a>levels.\u00a0 It gives the brain a nice rest from processing information and decision making.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the little neurons, axons, and dendrites get a chance to slow down and take a load off for a little while.  One can imagine how much more powered up a person would be when getting back to the grind (or whatever it is you are working on) after such a rest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mitochondria is the part within a neuron that turns substance into energy for the neuron.  This nap break can give it time to catch up on producing energy so that you come back prepared to take on it all with greater vitality.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Stress:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>is a killer, to put it bluntly.\u00a0 It is a number one reason for many, many ailments we have\u2026 high blood pressure, constipation, headaches, etc.\u00a0 It causes underlying conditions to flare up\u2026 mood disorders included (i.e. BPD – borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping is like a natural mood\/anxiety\/stress remedy.   It releases endorphins in the brain that cause relaxation and repair throughout the whole entire body.  It gives your brain a chance to believe everything is going to be okay, while you take a moment away to do something to take care of yourself.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people today work a lot of hours to keep up with the demands of rent, potentially childcare, and more; so, for the average American today\u2026 taking a nap is a good counterbalance to keep you fresh and de-stressed throughout your entire day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Memory & Learning:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For children (and in complete honesty, I don\u2019t think our needs really change that much throughout life) naps are critical for memory <\/a>storage and learning comprehension.\u00a0 As adults, memory, and learning improve with naps, too, according to WebMD (2018).\u00a0 This means, performance will be higher if you take naps.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also means, therefore, that as an adult, you will be more likely to get the job you want if you take naps because you will be at your peak performance ability.  It should also have an impact on your quality of relationships because you will be more alert and able to retain the concerns and cares your loved ones share with you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will be able to follow up with them and really listen at a deeper level because you will be taking care of your own needs in a realistic way and not be overwhelmed with information overload, since you are taking a break for yourself to rejuvenate each day.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. More Alert:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are so many benefits that can come from the benefit that naps give of being more alert throughout your day.  If you have very active days, or even moderately active, the benefit of being more alert can make a big difference in a person\u2019s life over time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are more alert, you will be able to react more quickly to spontaneous events\u2026 and there are plenty of those in life.\u00a0 If you have kids<\/a>, maybe one of them is about to fall or drop something that could break and cause a big mess and time-consuming tasks for you to recover.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are that busy, you could save yourself from these issues as well, caused by over-exhaustion.  The impact this can have on a person in their workplace is great, too!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A boss will notice (as well as the general people around you) when you are able to maintain your attention to detail and responsiveness to customers or tasks that need your attention.  Your loved ones will feel cared for when you respond quickly and consciously to their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Information Configuration:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This one ties into memory <\/a>retention and learning, but it goes a step further to help individuals understand the information they are remembering and learning in better ways.\u00a0 It improves our deeper, ground-level understanding of how the information we are getting relates to each other in the best possible ways.\u00a0 This proves useful in problem-solving\u2026 and who doesn\u2019t have problems to solve, am I right?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say you have coordination issues arising at work or at home\u2026 maybe you\u2019re trying to figure out what to do with the kids while you attend a work event.  Maybe you saw the neighbor and she said there is an electricity outage next week for maintenance and you have to coordinate how you will manage meals, work, and the kids.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This improvement due to napping briefly each day will help you to connect the dots of all the information you acquire each day and help you problem-solve for ideal solutions.  Now, that sounds great to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Improve Creativity:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever heard of REM sleep?\u00a0 Experts have measured brain<\/a> waves in order to uncover what goes on in the brain while we sleep.\u00a0 Apparently, upon 70-90 minutes into sleep, we begin to dream\u2026 this is the type of brain wave frequency during this phase of sleep.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, our brain is basically playing with the information we have fed it throughout the hours not long before.  Our brains are some of the most magnificent things on Earth.  They play with the information in such unique ways\u2026 this spurs on and improves our unique personal brand of creativity.  Who doesn\u2019t want that?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new found improved or increased creativity can be used for simple self-entertainment, entertainment for those around you, artistic purposes, or even for career and business brand entertainment and leverage for promotion and exposure.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Health:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The number of health <\/a>benefits that a busy person can gain from taking a power nap in the middle of their day are countless\u2026 limitless really.\u00a0 Improved blood pressure levels, better quality sleep at night when combined with exercise, improved cardiovascular health, improved digestive system processes, and more even complexion in the skin, to name a few.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body feels at ease, as is the state created by sleeping, the system can begin its repair process from the minor injuries sustained by the day.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These minor injuries are normal, but it is imperative that one gets the rest that counterbalances it, in order to maintain a healthy internal ecosystem.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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