Benefits of a Power Nap

About 40% of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. This sleep deprivation leads to health problems, cognitive impairment (such as vision and thinking), food cravings, and more.

Even if you wake feeling refreshed after a full night’s sleep, napping is a recommended way to recharge throughout the day. Here’s why:

Increase alertness

Just 20-30 minutes can work wonders on short-term alertness. If you’re committed, a NASA study on sleepy military pilots and astronauts discovered that a 40-minute nap improved their performance by 34% and alertness by a whopping 100%!

Reduce stress and increase mood

A 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a poor sleep, reduce stress, boost creativity, and even put you in a better mood.

Napping is better than drinking coffee

While coffee may make you feel wired, you are prone to making more mistakes a result. Napping, however, has more lasting positive results, including a steadier energy level and no cranky side effects.

Ready to take a nap? The ideal time of day to nap is between 1 and 3 p.m., when our circadian rhythms naturally dip. To fall asleep faster and reap the full benefits of your nap, go to a dark room or wear an eye pillow and have a blanket ready. Catch those zzz’s to power through the rest of your day!

Meet Rootasters:

Meg is a dreamer, entrepreneur, and homesteader based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She loves her cats, feasting, and road trips in her green VW Bug.