Naps. From a frazzled child to a blazing hangover, they have the power to calm everything. Many people who want a fast energy boost or a moment of relaxation during the day frequently take midday naps. These purposeful pauses, whether they last 15 minutes or more, can help the mind regenerate, increase alertness, and boost productivity. But did you know that scheduling a brief sleep during the day is healthy for your brain and keeps it larger for longer?
According to a recent study, persons who frequently take brief daytime naps may slow down their ageing process by the equivalent of 2 to 6 years. As people age, their brains gradually get smaller.
According to sleep specialists, research like these that show the advantages of napping for your health might help lessen the stigma associated with taking naps throughout the day. An analysis of data from participants aged 40 to 69 in the study, which was published in the journal Sleep Health, revealed a causal relationship between frequent napping and a bigger total brain volume, a sign of excellent brain health associated with a decreased risk of dementia and other disorders. Previous studies have demonstrated that taking a sleep offers cognitive advantages, with nappers scoring better on cognitive tests hours later than non-nappers. The current research sought to determine if daytime napping and brain health were causally related.
How that happens is a bit of complex science. Let’s unfold the whole story and understand it in the most layman way possible.
What happens to our brain when we Nap?
Let’s understand the technicality behind taking a nap!
So what exactly is our brain doing while we are taking quick naps?
While sleeping, Your left side of the brain takes rest but not your right side of the brain. The left side of the brain needs rest as it’s active while the person is awake because 95% of the population is right-handed. The right side of the brain is clearing out temporary storage areas, pushing information from the hippocampus to the neocortex for solidifying memories. The hippocampus area is now free to store and process more information. We can say that we can’t fill the already filled bottle so a nap is important to clear out the bottle.
Myths Debunked about Naps
MYTH: I’ll just feel worse when I wake up after a nap.
FACT: The 30-90 rule is a prescription for a restful snooze. According to this rule, naps should last no more than 30 minutes and no fewer than 90 minutes. You are in light sleep during the first 30 minutes of your sleep. When you emerge from this stage, you’ll feel renewed and more aware. If you snooze for more than 30 minutes but less than 90, you’ll probably awaken in the middle of a deep sleep period. The result is drowsiness. Longer naps than 90 minutes often enable you to finish your phases of sleep, having the most significant positive effect.
MYTH: A nap compensates for a lack of sleep at night.
FACT: A good night’s sleep is not substituted by naps. because, unlike during nocturnal sleep, naps do not require progression through the phases of sleep. Many people who don’t get enough sleep attempt to catch up on sleep by taking naps, but doing so might further disrupt one’s sleep cycle.
MYTH: Coffee will keep me awake before a sleep.
FACT: A caffeine nap does exist; it’s known as the ‘Nappuccino’ with affection. Enjoy your cup of tea or coffee, and then take sleep to do it well. The caffeine will start to work as you sleep (it reaches its greatest efficiency approximately 30 minutes after you drink it), making you feel most rested when you wake.
MYTH: Only the indolent or children under the age of five should nap.
FACT: A little nap can improve concentration, memory, creativity, and productivity. And none of those benefits strikes me as being idle.
Thnnnxxx.
Thnx for share.. Very best post. Ty.