Do You Need A Nap?

Dear Balanced Life Family,

Have you ever been so sleepy during the day that it was painful to stay awake? Have you ever been in school, on the job, or even in church and were so sleepy that you couldn’t stay awake? Well, if you have, you’re not alone. What you should know is that you were sleep-deprived, and maybe what you needed was a nap.

Naps are proven to be beneficial in many cases, but it’s important to nap the right way. You should have the right timing, duration, and the right environment.

Let’s talk about timing. There are factors that play a role in deciding what time you should nap. Your age, your need for sleep, and your use of medications, all need to be considered. Keep in mind, if you nap after 3 pm, it might interfere with your sleep at night.

The next thing to consider is the duration of your nap. A nap is a short sleep, during the day. May I emphasize the word short. Aim for a nap that lasts about 10 to 20 minutes. This is called a “power nap”.  Young adults may require naps that are a little longer, but if adults sleep longer, they may end up feeling groggy which will defeat the purpose.

Finally, you need the right environment for an effective nap. It should be a quiet, dark, restful place. The room temperature should be comfortable and there should be minimal distractions.

After napping you should give yourself time to wake up before resuming your activities. Remember everyone’s needs are different so adjust according to the way you feel.

Just remember, when you feel like that energizing battery in you has worn down, stretch out, relax, take that much-needed nap, and then wake up refreshed and energized, ready to take on the rest of the day.

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