What better way to celebrate a Monday than with National Napping Day?! (not while at work/school, of course)

This day lands on the day after Daylight Savings Time, when our bodies are still adjusting to losing an hour of our day, taking a nap could be just what we need to catch up to the new normal (minus an hour). 

Did you know that there are different types of naps? 

• Recovery nap
• Prophylactic nap
• Appetitive nap
• Fulfillment nap
• Essential nap

“Napping during the day diminishes homeostatic sleep drive, which can help us feel more awake and perform better” – sleepfoundation.org :

• Reducing sleepiness
• Improving learning
• Aiding memory formation
• Regulating emotions

As a grown adult you should be averaging between 7-9 hours of sleep every night? Now, we all know that that is not always the norm for everyone. Especially when you inhibit a very busy schedule everyday. If you are continuously missing out on sleep then you will fall into a sleep deficit which can affect:

• Reaction time
• Judgement
• Vision
• Short-term memory
• Motivation
• Performance
• And more

After about 8 hours of being awake, your body is ready for some rest. This is perfect for taking a short 20-minute nap following a long work day. Another alternative, if you do not want to nap, is to meditate, again all it takes is 20 minutes. 

So grab a pillow, relax your mind, unwind from the day, and celebrate with a nap! 

By: Amanda Overy