The pros and cons of napping
Daytime sleep is one of the most frequently discussed topics. As always, opinions on this are rather divided. Some people think it's a waste of time, others believe that a "quiet hour" is essential.
Scientists proven that a quick nap improves concentration and enhances productivity. That's why many organisations in Japan and Europe set aside time for short naps in the middle of the workday.
Here is an another interesting fact in favor of daytime sleep. After European countries began canceling siesta, the risk of death among people monitored by scientists increased by 37%. This number sug-gests that taking a nap during the day prolongs your life.
For some reason, many people believe that only lazy individuals take naps. That's not true. For example, the famous politician Winston Churchill went to bed at 3 p.m and woke up at 8 p.m. He advised that everyone should take off their clothes, go to bed and get some decent sleep after lunch and before dinner. So, according to Churchill, instead of one day you get at least one and a half, which means that you will be able to do a lot more work.
Turns out that daytime sleep is worth it. But how much time should you set aside for sleep? Some sci-entific studies could help answer this question.
The US Space Agency proven that the best option is two-phase sleep: 8-9 hours at night and 26 minutes during the day. Quick naps (40-120 minutes) helped pilots performing long-distance flights to rest, since they must have the maximum of their concentration to work effectively.
Experts from the University of California also support the efficiency of naps. In a survey of hundreds of respondents, it was found that a 20-minute nap is the most beneficial.
Here are 5 reasons to daysleep:
- Concentration increases by 30-35%
- Information is memorized better
- Thinking speed increases
- Reduced irritability
- Better mood
If you feel sleepy during the day, don't resist to take a quick nap. A short 20-minute nap will cheer you up and lift your mood, so you can spend the rest of the day productively being on a wave of positive feeling. Keep in mind that the most optimal time to take a nap is from 1 p.m to 3 p.m in the afternoon.
