While the reasons for taking a nap may be different, the benefits are usually the same. Restoring energy isn't the only benefit that a nap offers, although it may immediately come to mind. The other benefits that naps provide are determined by how often and when you take a nap, and how long you are awake between naps. Here are five benefits of taking a nap.
Improves physical performance
There are days when you feel very tired after work and don't want to go to the gym. When this happens, a short nap can help. A short nap makes you feel more active compared to a long nap. Studies have found a link between short naps and improved athletic skills, including faster sprint times and better motor response.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Not sleeping well can make you feel more irritable and stressful. To deal with the problem, you can take a nap. Research has shown how napping reduces stress hormones after sleep deprivation. The adults took two short naps of about 30 minutes each during the day and they had poor sleep of only two hours. The researchers then measured and compared stress hormones with people who did not take naps but who were sleep deprived. They found that one of three stress hormones measured, called norepinephrine, increased the day after sleep deprivation, but did not increase in adults taking a nap. We cannot conclude from this study that someone recovers from stress by sleeping, but the short naps help to keep the stress hormones under control.
Improves cognitive function
One study found that a short nap can improve alertness and aspects of mental and physical performance. The researchers had ten healthy male adults for the study. They slept or sat quietly from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm after a night of a few hours of sleep. 30 minutes after the nap, they were tested for various performance changes. The adults who took a nap experienced improvements in alertness, short-term memory, intra-aural temperature, heart rate, and scores on a short test. In other words, naps can help you learn and remember things, just like sleeping. Napping can also help people with fatigue stay more alert and have better cognitive functioning.
Counts food cravings
It is believed that fatigue leads to hunger or food cravings. This usually happens in the afternoon because you want to feel awake, so you start eating or drinking candy, soda, chocolate, or coffee to try to stabilize your blood sugar. If you're trying to cut calories in your diet, don't. It is also not good for your health. If you have 30 minutes, try taking a short nap – or take a short walk. It's a good way to curb cravings and improve your mood. We need to lower our stress hormones and restore our concentration and willpower to avoid food cravings. We can do this with a short nap or a walk or both.
Promotes heart health
In addition to stress and depression, not sleeping well can also take years off your life, but don't worry:napping can help. One study found that people who napped regularly had a lower coronary mortality than those who didn't. "Normal" naps, for the researchers, were those that occurred at least three times a week for 30 minutes each.
