I'm a huge proponent of the power nap - the 20 minute nap in the middle of a hectic workday to help top off your energy levels. I've used it for years, and I always feel fantastic when I jump out of bed and get back to work.
If you're tired, no doubt that an Tempurpedic or Essentia mattress is looking pretty tempting right now. You may want nothing more than to take a quick snooze, and you should do it! There are a lot of reasons that taking a nap is good for your health, such as:
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Increased alertness -- When you're tired, your brain just doesn't work as well. After a good power nap, your brain function will be back at 100%. (Just don't sleep for too long, as a long nap can lead to grogginess.)
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Reduce heart risks -- Did you know that a good nap can help to reduce your risk of hypertension, heart attacks, high cholesterol, and strokes? A nap can keep your blood circulating properly, and will protect your heart.
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Boost sex drive -- What could be better than a boosted sex drive thanks to a nice long snooze? Sleep deprivation reduces your sex drive (probably because of the reduced blood flow to your sexy parts), but getting a good night's sleep - or a good afternoon's sleep - can help to put the fire back in your pants!
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Make you more productive -- When your brain is working slowly, you will be unable to get much done. You will have very little focus when you're tired, and even a cup of coffee may not be able to deal with that. There's nothing like a good nap to help you concentrate on what you're doing, making you a lot more productive!
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Triggers HGH production -- There are many top athletes that take naps during the day, simply because it causes your body to produce more human growth hormone (HGH). This hormone helps your body to work better, improves circulation, speeds up repair, and so much more!
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Kills your appetite -- Interestingly enough, most people eat more when they're tired. This is because their brain is sending out a signal telling their body that it's tired, but it is misinterpreted as being hungry. Not only do you have a greater appetite, but you're more likely to make poor food choices when you're sleepy. Take a nap and watch that hunger disappear.
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Promote better sleep -- It sounds odd, but sleeping during the day can help you sleep better at night. A 20-minute nap will help to refuel your body, and you'll have just enough energy to make it through the day. Your body uses the energy that it has stored more efficiently, and thus it runs out by the end of the day - leaving you ready for a good night's sleep come evening.
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Reduces migraines --The correlation between a lack of sleep and migraine headaches is well documented, though much has yet to be learned about migraines. If you are prone to headaches, taking a nap will help to prevent the pain.
Wow, it looks like it's time for my midday productivity nap! Now I've got proof that taking a nap is good for my health…