Sleep
10 Surprising Benefits Of Napping
As it turns out, if you snooze, you won’t lose.
1. Improved Memory Recall
The next time you forget where you put down your glasses or what your boss just told you, try taking a nap. Studies show that napping can provide a much-needed memory boost to better remember things you just learned and make important connections.Virojt Changyencham/Moment/Getty Images2. Sharpened Motor Skills
Just like a good night’s rest is important for physical performance, napping can yield similar benefits with regard to motor skills, a study in Frontiers In Psychology concluded. When you can rest during the day, your mind and body can stay sharp.DjelicS/E+/Getty Images3. Mood Enhancement
The next time you’re in a crummy mood, try to sneak in a snooze. Research shows that a short daytime rest may in fact lift your spirits, as The Mayo Clinic noted.
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4. Increased Alertness
If you feel sluggish, a short nap may help you feel more alert, according to the American Psychological Sleep Foundation. It may sound counterproductive that sleep works in this way, but a nap really is an amazing pick-me-up.Cavan Images/Cavan/Getty Imagesmilan2099/E+/Getty Images
5. Improved Work Performance
Swap your lunch break for a nap break to reap the potential benefit of better performance on the job. As Harvard Health noted, some employers, like Google, actually encourage napping at work for this reason.
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6. Less Stress
Who doesn’t want to be less stressed? Napping can potentially reduce your stress level thanks to the rest and relaxation that sleep provides, according to a study published in the academic journal, Sleep.
7. Prep For A Long Night
When you have a nursing baby, teething toddler, or overnight travel plans, try to take a nap. Studies on night-shift workers found that napping can actually help prepare the body to stay awake better during the evening hours.andresr/E+/Getty ImagesWestend61/Westend61/Getty Images
8. Improve Your Health
Research shows that a nap can be good for your heart health by helping keep your blood pressure low during stressful moments, as Harvard Health reported. Napping can even improve your body’s immune response to keep you healthier overall.
9. Better Focus
You can stay sharp and improve your ability to learn and retain information when you nap, according to The Mayo Clinic.miniseries/E+/Getty Imagesnemke/E+/Getty Images
10. Boost Your Creativity
If you’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night with a great idea, you have REM sleep to thank — and napping for more than an hour can yield similar results, according to research from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.