UPDATED 02/21/2025
Ahhh, nap time. Isn’t it amazing? Wait… Does nap time even exist as an adult? I want to encourage you to start taking more of them! Before we dive into why, I need to ask you a question – Do you even get a chance to take a nap? I bed you hardly do. The unfortunate thing about this is, there are so many benefits of taking a nap.
What are the benefits of taking a nap?
For starters, naps can restore and increase alertness. Have you ever had that feeling when you just can’t seem to use your brain anymore? That’s the point when your brain is no longer alert and just needs rest. Your brain is like a muscle and just like other muscles in your body, it needs rest. When you take a nap, you’re resting your brain and helping it come back to your version of normal. I once even read in a NASA study that just a 40 minute nap can increase alertness back to 100%.
Another benefit to taking is that your performance can be enhanced and mistakes and accidents can be reduced. In that same study, astronauts improved their performance by 34%, just by taking a nap. Yes, it’s a small increase but it’s an increase none the less. So the next time you get that “2 o’clock feeling”, you might want to go lie down. I say do it! Just taking a 15 to 20 minute nap will help you get back to that focused state and keep working to the best of your ability.
The last benefit, that is my personal favorite, is all about psychology. A nap feels like a luxury or a mini vacation to me. I don’t always have money to go on luxurious vacations but a nap can be the next best thing. It’s a quick way to get in some relaxation and rejuvenation. And if you do it right, you’ll be dreaming of your next vacation.
Why am I talking about nap time?
Because we’re getting closer to the holidays and it’s the perfect time to start taking them. Even if you only do this on the weekend, I promise you it will be worth it.
