
04 Jun On Napping: Timeframe Considerations and Major Benefits
Many of us like to nap occasionally, or even more often for some, but pulling off quality napping can be a bit tougher than it may seem. Nap for too little time and you’ll wake up feeling worse; nap for too long and not only might you feel groggy, but you may also interrupt your nighttime sleep cycle.
At 2 Brothers Mattress, we’re here to help with a huge variety of mattresses, adjustable bed frames and numerous other accessories, many of which are vital to taking quality naps – and, of course, participating in your normal nightly sleep schedule as well. In the first entry in this two-part blog series, we’ll go over some general tips on napping and themes like timeframes and the general benefits of taking naps properly; in part two, we’ll look at mattress and other themes to improve your napping experience.
Naps and Timeframe
First and foremost, it’s important to know ideal napping time ranges and what they’re likely to do to your sleep cycle. Generally speaking, the ideal time range for a nap is short, between 10 and 20 minutes in length – this keeps you within the early stages of your sleep cycle, and prevents you from reaching the REM cycle stage, which usually begins about 90 minutes after you fall asleep.
If you take too long a nap, especially if you press up against this 90-minute timeline, many of its benefits may disappear. You will likely wake up groggy and perhaps even disoriented. One exception here: If you are dealing with serious sleep deprivation from recent days or nights, napping for 90-120 minutes will often be a major benefit here that will leave you refreshed.
Now that you know ideal time ranges, here are some of the benefits of napping properly:
Energy and Productivity Boost
Short power naps are known to increase both energy and productivity, both personally and professionally. Did you know, in fact, that some progressive companies not only allow, but even encourage midday power naps to help improve performance?
Improved Focus and Memory
Research also shows that napping improves your focus and memory in several ways. One particular group that benefits here is anyone in school or some kind of class, as napping often helps you read and digest information more efficiently.
Improving Mood
Did you also realize that napping might simply make you happier? It limits stress and allows for relaxation, plus is known to help refocus a stressed-out brain.
Lowering Blood Pressure
Finally, research has shown that napping in the middle of the day can be an effective tool to reduce blood pressure in those who have elevated levels. In fact, the data indicates that a nap might be similarly effective to other blood pressure reduction methods, such as limiting salt or sodium.
For more on napping and why it’s beneficial, or to learn about any of our mattresses and their benefits, speak to the staff at 2 Brothers Mattress today.
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