10 Reasons Why It’s So Good to Nap

Sharon Moore July 16, 2015

You know that sleep is good for your body. It is during sleep when your body goes through intensive repair, strengthening your system and restoring your energy levels for yet another day.

Even napping benefits your health big time! And here are the top 10 reasons why:

It makes you more alert.

Can’t focus at work? Consider napping first. Getting a little Zzzz during the day is a great way to increase alertness especially if you are feeling foggy. A study from NASA Research Centre found that 40 minutes of nap made pilots more alert.

It makes you less forgetful.

An hour-long of napping helps your brain retain as much information. That’s what researchers from Saarland University in Germany found. In their study, those who enjoyed a little snooze performed five times as well as those who hadn’t.

Napping protects your heart.

According to a study involving 23,000 Greek adults, napping reduces the risk of heart disease by over 30 per cent. While more research is needed to confirm and explore the findings, there are several ways napping could reduce the risk of heart attacks, experts said. First, it helps us deal with stress of daily living. Another possibility, according to researchers, is that napping is part of the normal biological rhythm, and for some people, not engaging in napping might disrupt these processes.

It relaxes your body and improves your mood.

A 2007 study published in the journal Psychophysiology found that even lying down for just ten minutes can improve mood and promote relaxation. So if that email or text message you received just angered you, don’t hit the reply button yet. Throw yourself on the bed or sofa, close your eyes, and think about nothing for ten minutes. You will be surprised of what will happen next.

It makes you more patient.

In life, patience does big wonders. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that regular ‘nappers’ tend to be more patient than those who don’t take power naps during the day.

It makes you more productive.

Studies show that putting in extra hours without rest dramatically reduces your productivity. Napping allows your mind and body to rest, preventing burnout and making you feel refreshed – ready to take on more tasks. Thus, you end up accomplishing more tasks.

It heightens your creativity.

Creativity is needed in every aspect of life, whether it’s at work, in your career, or relationship. Napping improves your creativity by both loosening up the web of ideas in your head and merging disparate insights together. So if a cold shower or a stroll in the park doesn’t spark your creativity, consider lying down on bed and taking a nap.

It lifts your spirit.

A 2009 research published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that even a quick nap can increase your mood. And part of the reason why it can get you smiling is that napping, no doubt, promotes relaxation.

It relives your senses.

Napping can restore the sensitivity of sight, hearing, and taste so you become more mindful of the things around you.

Napping strengthens your immunity.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that a short nap could reverse the negative health effects of a night of poor sleep, and also reduce stress and bolster the immune system.