Sleeping is a great way for our body to relax. Adequate sleep can benefit the body in more ways than one but sometimes, a good night’s sleep can be pretty elusive. This is where napping comes in. Whether you are making up for lost sleep or simply charging up your energy during a hectic workday, it is important to experience the best naps possible, says a leading mattress store in Cumming.
Napping Helps: 11 Benefits of Dozing Off
Battles sleep deprivation.The average person needs to sleep for around seven to nine hours. However, most people do not achieve this target. Napping can be the solution when getting enough sleep is not possible.
Rests your brain. The longer you stay awake, the more sluggish your brain becomes, lessening your ability to focus. Studies at the University of California, Berkeley showed that participants who dozed off were able to pay attention better than those who did not.
Improved memory.There is a direct relationship between napping and the ability to remember. In fact, studies indicate that getting some shut-eye after learning new information can help your brain retain the information five times better than if you had stayed awake afterwards.
Stress Management.Lack of sleep increases the amount of activity in areas of the brain associated with anxiety and stress. Stress can cause multiple health issues such as heart disease, strokes, and even reproductive problems. Taking a nap increases your body’s ability to handle stress, which in turn lowers your blood pressure. A study at Allegheny College showed that napping can help your body handle stress and anxiety. Half of the participants were allowed to doze off and were given a tough exam afterward. The participants that took a nap had lower blood pressure compared to the participants who did not.
Lessen weight gain.Researchers from Stanford University found that weight gain is related to the amount of sleep. The study showed that gherkin, a hormone that makes you want to eat more, is produced at a higher rate when you experience lack of sleep and lowers leptin levels, which are the hormones that tell you when you’re full. In short, the less you sleep, the more you gain weight.
Improved mood.Increased arguments and misunderstandings with the people around you may be caused by lack of sleep. Even just a night of bad sleep can deplete your self-control and make you incredibly cranky and moody all day.
Lower risk of heart disease.Lack of sleep can make your blood vessels less flexible and raise the risk of developing heart diseases. When the brain is tired, it causes the vessels to stiffen and become unresponsive. Luckily, a good nap can bring them back to normal.
Lower risk of chronic diseases.People that sleep for less than six hours a night have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Lack of shut-eye can cause an increase in the fatty acids in the blood, which in turn leads to higher blood sugar levels.
Lower risk of dementia.Lack of sleep can cause higher deposits of B-Amyloid plaques and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Sleeping, or even napping, aids in cleansing the brain of these plaques.
Boost athletic abilities. A study from Stanford University showed that getting enough sleep can improve one’s athletic abilities. Athletes that slept longer achieved faster sprint times, have lower heart rates, and better workouts. Lack of sleep can mess with your brain and reaction times but these can be solved with a quick nap.
Beautiful skin. Beauty sleep is real. Sleeping and napping can slow down the skin’s aging process and improves the skin’s ability to repair itself. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to have fine lines, uneven skin tones, and loose skin. Don’t worry, though. The leading mattress store in Cumming will ensure that you get your beauty sleep when you use their premium yet affordable mattresses and pillows.
Negative Effects of Napping
Sleep problems. Short naps usually don’t affect your nighttime sleep routine or the quality of sleep, but long naps might. Additionally, if you have insomnia, napping can worsen the condition.
Sleep inertia. You may wake up feeling groggy and disoriented after taking a nap. It usually takes a bit to recover from sleep inertia, making you lose valuable time.
8 Tips for a Great Nap
Snooze at the perfect temperature. For optimal cat naps, keep the room temperature between 60 and 67o A significantly higher or lower temperature may affect the quality of your nap.
Seek out darkness. The room shouldn’t be too dark nor too bright. The absence of light sends signals to your brain to produce a certain hormone (melatonin) which prepares the body for sleep.
Block out the noise. Staying in a noisy room will prevent you from having a good nap. Find a place that is free of any loud and abrupt noises.
Find a comfortable spot. Whether you nap on the sofa or on the bed, it’s important that you find it comfortable. Your go-to mattress store in Cumming offers comfortable pillows and mattresses to help you experience the best naps possible.
Nap at the right time. Napping too late in the afternoon can affect your sleep. Taking a nap at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm is the ideal time for most people since it is when the body’s blood sugar and energy levels decline.
Limit your naps. Studies show that naps should be at least 15 minutes and should not last longer than 40 minutes. Longer naps can cause obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome including high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Say “yes” to napping and “no” to caffeine. Naps are more effective at boosting energy than drinking caffeinated sodas or drinks, and the effects last longer as well. In addition, drinking caffeine during the daytime interferes with nighttime sleep.
Avoid naps if you suffer from insomnia. As mentioned above, naps can worsen insomnia. Dozing off during the day will actually make it harder for you to fall asleep during the night.
Trust Fred’s Beds for the Perfect Nap
Can’t sleep or nap well? At Fred’s Beds, we will help you get the sleep you deserve. We have everything you need so visit our mattress store in Cumming or give us a call at 770-628-5875 to get a high-quality mattress that fits your needs and budget. We are open from 10 AM to 6PM Monday through Friday and 10AM to 5 PM on Saturdays.
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and be part of our engaging social media community.