Yawn. Go ahead, I know you’ve been fighting the urge all day. And you aren’t alone! In college, it’s normal to constantly feel sleep-deprived; that’s why Starbucks gets so much business, and why that guy in front of you in lecture is always sipping a Rockstar. While all that caffeine and sugar may give you enough jitters to make sleep impossible, they don’t even closely compare to the feeling of being well-rested.
Not everyone supports the idea of napping; it’s sometimes confused with laziness, lethargy or illness. However, it’s only natural to sleep intermittently throughout the day. This style of sleep is called polyphasic sleeping, practiced by most other species, along with babies and cavemen. This contrasts with the biphasic sleep pattern that we typically demonstrate—one major chunk of sleep followed by a significant waking period. This sleep schedule may seem more practical and time-efficient, but there are several benefits of reverting back to our primal patterns and sneaking in a catnap here and there.
1. Helps your body heal: Once you doze off, your body goes to work repairing your cells, balancing your hormone levels, and improving your heart functioning. Studies have revealed lower levels of heart disease in subjects who nap regularly. So a siesta isn’t only beneficial when you’re feeling under-the-weather—it could mean the difference between just feeling average or feeling like a total boss.
2. Enhances memory: During sleep, memories are transferred from short-term memory and consolidated into long term memory. This is why studying right before sleeping has proven to boost test scores. NASA conducted a study that showed increased test performance upon the inclusion of a 30-minute power nap after learning information. Coffee, on the other hand, can inhibit memory, so chugging it after an all-nighter might not be so helpful after all.
3. Boosts alertness: 5 Hour Energy? How about half hour snooze? Studies show that even just a small 20-minute nap 8 hours after waking prolongs stamina more than an extra 20 minutes of night rest—spreading out the sleep spreads out the energy.
4. Heightens creativity: You have probably noticed that your mind wanders more freely while asleep, presenting you with bizarre dreams and crazy ideas. When you close your eyes, you’re allowing your mind to unravel, free of logic and reasoning, and the loose associations formed during sleep could provide you with artistic motivation. Salvador Dali worked out a way to wake himself up during Stage 2 of the sleep cycle, giving him access to the trippy images he’d just been experiencing in the hypnagogic state. His paintings make a lot more sense now, don’t they? When feeling unmotivated, a quick nap might be just what you need to find inspiration!
5. Promotes happiness: Sleeping increases serotonin levels. In other words, your brain gets hyped up on happy juice. Just like toddlers get cranky without their daily nap, your mood deflates a little when your energy levels droop.
6. Saves money on coffee: Be an individual—not just another place in the Starbucks line! (Or at an independent coffee shop, for you hipsters.) If you get enough rest you won’t need so much artificially-induced energy. Get your boost the natural way!
7. Less stress: Studies have shown that frequent nappers possess lower stress hormone levels. This is probably due to a combination of all of the above benefits! Being healthier, happier, more inspired and alert, and less forgetful definitely seem like antidotes to stress! This is another reason why taking a break to slumber during a hard-core study sesh would be wise.
8. Intensifies senses: Naps have proven to be just as effective as an entire night of sleep in terms of sharpening people’s sensory perception. Living your life to the fullest includes hearing sounds louder, seeing sights clearer, and tasting food tastier! Doesn’t that sound nice?
So not only do you deserve a nap, you need one! Even twenty minutes will benefit you. Do something nice for yourself: shut your eyes and let your mind unwind.
Information obtained from:
- http://ririanproject.com/2007/09/05/10-benefits-of-power-napping-and-how-to-do-it/
- http://artofmanliness.com/2011/02/07/unleash-the-power-of-the-nap/
- Class Lecture, Psychology 1, University of California Santa Barbara, Professor Schooler