4 Surprising Ways that Naps Can Boost Your Brainpower

Think back—and you may have to go way back—to the last time you had a full 8 hours sleep! It was probably before you had children, and before the pressures of running a business started to interrupt your sleep patterns. The majority of people agree that it was perhaps in their early 20s. Today’s hectic world full of responsibilities, and the constant buzz of modern technology makes it impossible for us to get the actual amount of sleep we need.

Why Is Sleep Important?

Reports suggest that a staggering 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, which leads to severe health issues. Sufficient sleep is crucial for everyone as it gives our brains the chance to recover and rest after a long day. It is when our brain processes what we have learned and experienced and then “files” this in the right place.

A lack of sleep, or sleep deprivation, can lead to a range of symptoms—some serious, some not so. Here are just some of the consequences of poor sleep:

• A lack of concentration
• You make more mistakes
• Mood swings
• Frustration
• Clumsiness
• Burnout at work
• Embarrassment when you fall asleep at your desk
• A serious accident if you fall asleep at the wheel

In terms of our physical health, not getting enough sleep can cause heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression. So, the simple answer to why sleep is important is that it is necessary for both mental and physical health.

The Amazing Benefits of Napping

Numerous historical texts confirm how humans used to have two periods of sleep a day. Preindustrial Europe had a bi-modal sleeping pattern. People worked when something was needing doing. No 9-5 routine dominated people’s daily lives. Naps were considered normal, not a sign of laziness or weakness as some cultures now view them. Some countries like Spain still have afternoon naps as an essential part of the day. Children aren’t allowed to play in the streets during siesta time.

A nap can lead to improved cognitive function, lower levels of stress, and better motor skills. Taking a nap can give you more stamina and energy to face the challenges throughout the whole day and enhance your memory. A study from Greece found that men who napped three times a week were 37% less likely to die from heart disease. Naps can not only improve your quality of life, but amazingly, it can lengthen it.

What’s the Best Nap Length?

How long you take a nap for will vary from person to person. Some people benefit significantly from dozing for 10 to 15 minutes; others require 30 minutes. Many people find that over an hour makes them feel groggy for the remainder of the working day. Here are some ideas of nap lengths and what they may achieve:

• Ten to twenty minutes—This is perfect for a quick recharge of the batteries so that your afternoon can remain productive, and you regain your alertness.
• Sixty minutes—Take a one-hour nap if you notice yourself getting snappy with employees and co-workers. Snoozing for 60 minutes can reduce your levels of frustration and stop you from being so impulsive.
• Ninety minutes—This may be impossible if you are working in the office. But if you have flexible working hours, you will benefit from better creativity, improved memory, and more control of your emotions.

However long you nap for, try to make sure that you are awake again by between 4 pm and 4.30 pm. If not, you run the risk of disrupting your night-time sleeping pattern.

Ways Naps Boost Brainpower

Let’s take a closer look at four ways a nap can boost your brainpower.

1. Naps improve your memory

The hippocampus is the area of the brain that stores memories. While memories are there, they are quickly forgotten. When you take a map, memories are transferred into the neocortex where they are permanently stored.

2. Naps help you learn new things

The ability to learn new things is essentially the same as memories. When you take a nap, the new information that has been saved in your hippocampus is moved to the neocortex and, therefore, will become more permanent. Sleep can make you a more successful employee.

3. Napping helps to make you feel more alert

NASA carried out a study that showed a 40-minute nap increased alertness by 100%. Just 20 minutes napping can be more effective than a cup of coffee, giving you a healthier boost of energy.

4. Naps make you more creative

We know that our left and right brains have different functions. During a nap, the logical left side of the brain takes a rest while the creative right side remains active. If you have an obstacle that you can’t find a solution to, the right side of the brain will continue working on it while you nap. This, in turn, increases the chances of finding a solution when you are awake.

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