When I was in college, I was a regular napper. I’d find a quiet corner in the library between classes and take a 20-minute power nap. It did wonders. I woke up refreshed and ready to focus on my next class. In today’s post, I’ll cover 5 benefits of taking a power nap.
Although my life as a single dad and full-time college professor is a little hectic, I still try to take a few power naps each week. Sometimes a power nap is just what the body ordered. It really doesn’t matter when and where you nap. Listen to your body. Your body will tell you when you could use a few extra moments of rest.
I often nap in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon when I get the chance. I’ve napped in my office. I’ve napped in my bed. I’ve napped on busses and trains. I’ve napped in my easy chair. I’ve napped outdoors. No matter where I nap, the results are positive.
5 Reasons To Take A Power Nap Today
- A power nap recharges your battery: Just as we recharge our devices’ batteries, we need to recharge our own. When you’re tired, you’re not at your best, either physically or mentally. A short nap slows down your heart rate and breathing. This rest mode allows you to recharge.
- A power nap refreshes your mind: Sometimes when I’m working on a piece of writing, I get sleepy. My creativity fails me. If I take a short nap, I wake up refreshed. Some of my best writing has happened right after waking from a short power nap.
- A power nap increases productivity: Here’s what Michael Hyatt has to say about napping and productivity. “A nap makes you more productive. Numerous medical studies have shown that workers become increasingly unproductive as the day wears on. But a 2002 Harvard University study demonstrated that a 30-minute nap boosted the performance of workers, returning their productivity to beginning-of-the-day levels.”
- A power nap helps you keep calm: Life can get us wound up. In today’s world, we’re more stressed out than ever before. My ten-year-old, Annie, talks about stress. The word stress wasn’t even in my vocabulary until I was in my 20s or 30s. One way to combat the increasing stress of our fast-paced world is to forget about it. You can let things go by taking a short nap. In the long run, you’ll feel more calm and relaxed.
- A power nap makes up for lack of sleep: As we get older our sleep patterns change. I often find myself only getting 6-7 hours of sleep at night. Naps can make up for those nights when sleep eludes you.
Listen To Your Body
Next time you feel a little sleepy and you don’t have something pressing to do, why not take a nap? Put down your smartphone. Turn off the TV. Step away from your busy-work. Stop. Be intentional. Take a power nap. You’ll wake up with more energy for the remainder of the day.
Dan Erickson
