Good rest doesn’t just happen at night! As adults, we often forget that some solid shuteye during the day can do just as much good as hitting our snooze button a few extra times in the morning (if not more!). Studies show that there are many benefits to adding a nap to your schedule, even past adolescence.
Improve Your Mood
Naps are a serious mood booster! According to the National Sleep Foundation, napping can improve your mood, alertness, and overall performance (“Napping”, Sleep Foundation). Just taking ten minutes a day to rest can leave you feeling more cheerful and productive. Experts say that real relaxation comes from lying down and resting, even if you don’t fall asleep (“Health Benefits of Napping”, WebMD). Whether you take a ten or thirty minute breather, you will get up better-equipped to handle what the rest of the day has in store.
Improve Your Health
Naps are good for you! Feeling drained? Whether you need a break physically or mentally, napping is part of the solution. Studies show that naps can improve cognition. As you sleep, your brain retains information learned during the day and can keep you from forgetting things like motor skills, sense perception, and verbal recall (“Health Benefits of Napping”, WebMD). Beyond cognitive benefits, it is proven that relaxation reduces stress, which in turn lowers tension and risk of heart disease.
Improve Your Sleep Schedule
Naps can actually help you sleep better at night! In addition to regulating your bed-time and wake-time, adding a ten to thirty minute midday snooze to your schedule has been shown to improve nighttime sleep (“Health Benefits of Napping”, WebMD). Creating and implementing a consistent sleep schedule will do so much good to your overall health. However, the key word is “consistent”. While there are benefits to the occasional nap, there is evidence that the major improvements come to those who add a nap into their daily routine.
While some people have no problem falling asleep the second they decide to get some shuteye, others struggle with nap-blockers. These problems can come from being preoccupied with other thoughts or activities, and a feeling of guilt about being unproductive for taking time to nap during a busy day. When it comes down to it, taking care of yourself and making your health a priority is productive! If you need a companion to put those nap-blockers at ease, our Silk Sleep Masks and Eye Pillows are the perfect solution. Put those guilty feelings aside, pick up your favorite SleepSwag product, and remember that you are nourishing your body every time you claim your natural right to nap.