Napping is not just for dogs and children\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some of the world\u2019s most influential thinkers and leaders have catnapped every day. Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali, John F Kennedy, and Calvin Coolidge all found that a short snooze left them refreshed, recharged, and ready to work. Science confirms that napping can help beat the post-lunch slump and boost cognitive performance<\/a><\/strong>. But now there is evidence that a siesta<\/em> could also save your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You probably don\u2019t need me to tell you that a nap can make you feel better, more alert, sharper and less grumpy. Research has shown that naps can improve our problem-solving abilities and our memories. Naps can also enhance perceptive skills and speed up reaction times. But the benefits go way beyond that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Short daytime periods of sleep have been shown to be good for the heart, decrease blood pressure, help our bodies cope with stress<\/strong> and even help us battle the bulge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular naps have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease<\/a><\/strong>. Those who have a siesta at least three times a week were shown in research to be more than a third less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A leading scientist from the extensive study, Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaking a nap could turn out to be an important weapon in the fight against coronary mortality.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The effect proved to be particularly strong for working men. Those who regularly took a little time out from their working day to have a short snooze had a 64% lower risk of death from heart disease. However, even non-workers showed a benefit. Those occasionally napping had a 12% lower coronary mortality rate and those who systematically napped had a 37% reduction in death from cardiovascular events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve all been there… after a few late nights, it can be difficult to deal with the stresses and strains of the working day. Little problems suddenly seem insurmountable. It\u2019s not just our minds that struggle when we\u2019re sleep-deprived, our bodies suffer too.<\/p>\n\n\n When we\u2019re under psychological pressure, the body releases chemicals designed to help us fight or flee. When we\u2019re tired, even more of these stress hormones flood through the body. That was great when we were cavemen fighting saber-toothed tigers. But in the modern world, when stress is sustained and psychological, the results are potentially deadly. The hormones can ramp up blood pressure and blood sugar levels predisposing to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that research shows that naps can mitigate the effects of too little sleep, decrease the release of these stress chemicals, and help protect our bodies from the negative effects of stress. (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if naps are good for you, why are many of us so embarrassed or ashamed of it? I mean, let\u2019s face it, whether it\u2019s called a siesta, riposo, or inemuri<\/a>, an afternoon snooze is ingrained into many cultures. But in the US, the UK, and many other Western societies, sleeping in the daytime can be seen as laziness, a sign of getting old or lacking drive. With 650,000 Americans dying of heart disease every year, maybe it\u2019s time to change the way we think and the way we work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related article: Which Magnesium Is Best for Sleep?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, we\u2019ve answered the question, \u201cAre naps good for you?\u201d Now it\u2019s time to share some tips on how to get the perfect mid-day snooze:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to nap at the same time every day. This helps your body adjust its normal circadian rhythms and ensures you get maximum benefit. Schedule it in your diary and make it a regular part of your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you slug back a strong cup of coffee to beat that post-lunch slump? If you do, you may not be taking the best approach. A study compared the effectiveness of caffeine, daytime naps and getting more night-time sleep as ways of overcoming the afternoon dip. And the winner? Naps won hands down (3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nNaps and the heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Naps and stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to have the perfect power nap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep it consistent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sleep or stimulants?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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