Naps Are EVERYTHING!

Yes, I love to nap. I take a little siesta almost every day, in fact!

When I'm feeling crabby or off, the answer almost always involves sleep (read more about that HERE - which regularly comes in the form of a nap :)

I think I can speak for most people and say that the very sound of a quick power nap is very enticing, but what you may not know is that napping can actually be SO good for us - not just in terms of focus or how we feel, but on a physiological level as well.

Studies are starting to show us that naps have the potential to balance our hormones (I'm lookin' at you and your pals, cortisol) in ways that maximize our health, prevent disease, and help us perform our best physically and mentally. This hormonal balancing can help us in all kinds of ways from controlling food cravings to managing stress to improving performance in the gym. Pretty powerful stuff!

So naps can reduce stress, risk of obesity and heart disease, put a damper on anxiety and increase cognitive function and productivity? Those are some solid reasons to nap, if you ask me!

Personally, although I am a "morning person" for my job, I do not prefer the sleep schedule that I keep. Even after all these years, I never feel rested or ready to wake up in the morning when my alarm goes off. When I'm feeling especially tired or sleep deprived I am much less productive, not as sharp mentally, and I definitely don't feel as nice or optimistic as I usually am. NOT my favorite ways to be!

So before I get to a point where I'm in a real pickle, I try to close my eyes and recharge my batteries a little to get myself back on track. It has been a GAME CHANGER for me. Even before we had our fitness company and I was working behind a desk, I would drive somewhere secluded and park in the shade to nap in my car at lunch or on a quick break... No shame :)

And this nap doesn't have to be long to be effective! A "power nap" or super short, sub-20 minute sleep can be just the thing to get you going without leaving you in a groggy haze. I discovered these kind of naps my first year in college - I was training super hard playing water polo, going to all my classes, doing homework, and spending time with my friends in as many spare moments as I had, which often left me dragging... I'd hop in bed, close my eyes for 10 minutes, and wake up ready to roll again!

These are pigs napping, if you can't tell... :)

If you're not sure, give it a try! Excuse yourself on your lunch break at work to close your eyes for a few minutes before waking up to eat your lunch, or step out whenever you can get away for enough time to drift off briefly :) if you're home, try to figure out the moment when you're most sleepy and depleted, and take your little rest right before that feeling hits. There's nothing better than stopping yourself from feeling like garbage before it starts!

There's gotta be some truth to this that employers are starting to catch onto as well, because I've heard that some of the new-age super-tech companies have areas for their employees to hide away and take a quick rest... I'm sure it absolutely increases productivity, and at the very least boosts morale!

But until all of our workplaces contain designated snooze spots, take it upon yourself to get your power nap in - your mind, body, and emotions will thank you!

Do you like to nap? What's your ideal siesta duration?

Please feel free to comment, upvote, or resteem if you'd like!