The wonder of why taking a break works better than working hard
When it comes to work in the afternoon, my speed inevitably slows down.
Although things were going smoothly in the morning, after noon the car suddenly started to lose gear.
I'm sure everyone has had that experience.
Maybe my brain is going on strike once...
I sighed in front of the screen, and several minutes passed without me being able to do anything.
There are days when I feel a little depressed and wonder, "Why can't I concentrate for so long?"
But actually, during that "afternoon lazy time,"
A short nap can make all the difference.
When I say nap, I don't mean something big like laying down on a futon and sleeping.
Lean back in your chair and gently close your eyes. That's all.
A short break of just a few minutes can make a big difference in your afternoon.
■ The more stressed you are, the more effective a nap is
When work is hectic,
Before you know it, your shoulders are tense and your breathing is shallow.
On days when you feel like nothing is going well, a nap is the perfect time to do so.
Even just 10 minutes will help relieve the heat that has been building up in your head.
Ideally, you can lie down, but if that's difficult, just close your eyes.
That feeling when the sounds outside sound a little far away and your mind becomes lighter and lighter.
It's like a signal for your brain to reset.
■ Taking a nap improves work efficiency
A study conducted by NASA in the United States has produced some interesting results.
When pilots were given a 26-minute nap, their work efficiency increased by 34% and their attention span increased by 54% .
The job of a pilot is one in which mistakes are not tolerated.
The fact that even people in such professions still take naps is what makes it so convincing.
The brain is not a machine, so it cannot stay in the same state forever.
If you continue to concentrate, your accuracy will inevitably decrease.
Taking a nap is a "small correction" that helps to turn this decline back up.
It would be better to go to sleep rather than prolong the afternoon feeling lost.
Those who have experienced this will nod in agreement.
■ Stress levels will slowly decrease
We tend to carry stress without even realizing it.
A nap can also help to loosen up your mood.
When you feel anxious or anxious, thoughts go round and round in your head.
However, when I wake up from a nap, I often find myself thinking, "Was I really thinking this so seriously?"
As your brain cools down, your thinking habits will slowly unwind.
The waves of emotion calm down and a sense of composure returns.
That alone will make a huge difference in how you work in the afternoon.
■ Physical recovery is surprisingly not to be underestimated
Not only your brain but your body also needs rest.
If you sit in front of a computer for a long time,
Do your neck, shoulders and back feel stiff?
If you continue like this into the afternoon, it's only natural that your concentration will begin to wane.
Just lying down for a bit will help release muscle tension,
When I wake up, I often feel like my body feels light.
Once you understand this difference, you'll never want to stop napping.
The mind and body are like a team.
If one is tired, it will definitely affect the other.
■ It can also be a “relief measure” to compensate for chronic sleep deprivation
Many people suffer from a type of fatigue that goes unnoticed - this is called "sleep debt."
Even if you think you slept well at night, there are many cases where you actually didn't get enough rest.
Naps can help fill this void a little.
However, you don't need to sleep for long periods of time.
In fact, if you sleep for too long you will end up feeling drowsy, so 10 to 20 minutes is just right.
Even if you can't do it perfectly every day, just doing it a few times a week will make you feel better.
■ So, how do you take a nap?
The trick is quite simple.
- 10 to 20 minutes (maximum 30 minutes)
- Turn down the brightness a little
- Lightly cover your eyes with an eye mask or towel
- If you can't lie down, lean on a chair
- Always set the alarm
In particular, simply blocking out light makes a huge difference in how well you fall asleep .
With an eye mask, it's easier to get into sleep mode, and you can feel like you're falling asleep even for a short time.
I would especially encourage people who think, "I'm too busy to take a nap," to actually try it.
10 minutes may seem short, but it can be surprisingly effective.
■ The true benefits of a nap are proven by your "afternoon self"
Making napping a habit will make you a completely different person in the afternoons.
- The vague feeling from before disappears.
- Your head will spin again
- Ideas come to me easily
- You will feel more at ease
- Increased work speed
None of this is exaggerated; these are real changes that are happening.
Many people are surprised to find out that naps are so amazing.
No matter how busy your work environment is,
It's so important not to put your body on the back burner.
A nap is a simple yet powerful tool for this purpose.
The days of just working hard are over.
From now on, it may be that those who know how to take good rest will be the ones who will do well at work.
■ If you want to change your afternoon, start taking a short nap today
Naps are not a luxury,
Rather, it is a necessary maintenance for working people.
You don't need to do it every day.
Even just 10 minutes when you remember can make a difference in your afternoon.
A little easier, a little more comfortable,
And to be able to work a little more positively.
I hope you find more time for gentle naps in your day.
