PARENT STUFF: We highlight the benefits of taking a nap this #NapDay
Today is Nap Day. Many parents only know that to mean the time their kids take time to rest while they get errands done. But what are the benefits of napping?
Many parents are told that when they become parents, it's important (or beneficial) to nap or sleep when the baby sleeps. Whether or not that actually happens is another story.
Many parents would love to take a nap whilst their newborns or even toddlers take a nap, but the reality of the situation is that sometimes the only time that many parents get to do all the stuff they need to get done is when their kids sleep. For instance, cleaning up, running errands, cooking, getting some "Me" time in, and sometimes it means just having a shower.
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The reality may sound hectic, but rest assured, this is no way a means to deter you from becoming a parent. We are just being real. We also hope after discovering the benefits of napping, we may be on the other side of the fence.
Today is National Nap Day and we thought what better way to celebrate than by taking a nap? Well, first finish reading this article, please.
The reason we are celebrating this day is because we have learnt that there are some benefits to napping, and we don't know about you, but we think we could do with more benefits in our lives.
While some people associate naps as a negative trait, it seems that naps do come with some benefits. But the length of the nap does make a difference. "Humans are monophasic sleepers, meaning that they devote one part of the day to sleep, and the other part to being awake," CheckIDay Website reports.
Many adults find it difficult to sleep during the day, but according to the sleep foundation website, napping can assist with reducing sleepiness, can improve learning, can aid in memory formation, and regulate emotions.
However, all good things should be enjoyed with the mindset of practicing balance. Too much of a good thing isn't advised when it comes to taking a nap.
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"In older adults, certain adverse health effects have been associated with very long, mid-day naps (more than an hour in duration). Researchers have linked long naps with an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and depression," the Sleep Foundation states.
The only way to find out if you experience the benefits is through trial and error, right? Well, first it would be responsible to get some advice from your doctor, but other than that what we have taken away is that napping is good, as long as it's not for too long.
"Naps that are about 10 to 30 minutes in length improve mood, alertness, and performance—both mentally and physically. The alertness that naps provide can last for a few hours time. Naps of 10 minutes in length provide the most benefit of improved cognitive performance and reduced sleepiness. Naps also provide relaxation and rejuvenation," CheckIDay Website adds.
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