Can a nap change your life? The secret to power naps

"I suddenly get sleepy in the afternoon. Is there anything I can do about it?"
"I'm motivated, but I can't concentrate..."
Do you feel that way every day?
It might be that you're not getting enough naps.

The term "power nap" has become popular recently.
I thought it was a foreign word and only for people with high morals, but it turns out it actually works for everyone.

So, this time we'll take a relaxed yet thorough look at everything from "What exactly is a power nap?" to "What changes does it actually make?"
Once you've finished reading, you'll probably want to take a nap.

Is a "power nap" just a nap?

Yes, that's true, but it's a little different from just "taking a nap."
Simply put, a power nap is a short, efficient nap that restores energy.

It's usually about 10 to 20 minutes. If it's too long, it will have the opposite effect, and if you sleep for more than 30 minutes, your brain will freeze when you wake up (I've experienced it).
It's more like "powering off" than "sleeping." And the feeling of refreshment when you restart is amazing.

Effect 1: You'll be able to work extremely fast in the afternoon

This is the most obvious effect.
You will experience something different about yourself in the afternoon .

For example, after lunch, around 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This is the time when your concentration is at its lowest. Your eyes may be open, but your brain is asleep. If you take a power nap at this time, miraculously, your mind will become clear and you'll be able to get more done.

In my case, without a nap I can't even read numbers in Excel, but after a power nap I can create documents twice as fast (seriously).
A 15-minute nap is far more effective than drinking three cups of coffee to combat sleepiness.

Effect 2: Ideas come to you

If you're sleepy and drowsy, you won't come up with any good ideas.
However, after a nap, my head feels surprisingly light and I can suddenly come up with all sorts of ideas.

"By the way, wouldn't it be better if we did that project like this?"
It's like, "I was going around in circles just a moment ago, but now I've suddenly gotten out of it."

This has actually been backed up by research, and it seems that power naps have the effect of revitalizing the brain's "inspiration sensor."
The reason why famous companies like Google and Apple encourage naps is because ideas are important in their work.

Effect 3: It might erase yesterday's fatigue.

Have you ever woken up thinking, "Huh? I slept, but I'm still tired..."?
You can recover from that remaining fatigue by taking a nap.

Some studies even boast that "20 minutes of sleep can give you back eight hours of stamina" (though that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it makes sense).
Anyway, just closing your eyes for a little while during the day can help relieve your body's fatigue and your head's fog.

I took a power nap in the afternoon when I thought, "I can't do this today..." and somehow I was able to get through two meetings in the evening and even get my laundry done when I got home. I was in a state of high spirits that even I couldn't explain.

Effect 4: You become less irritable

When you lose concentration, do you get irritated over trivial things?
I get angry just because the subject line of an email is long, and I get put off by the way the other person says "Got it!" I'm just so narrow-minded...

However, when I take a nap, that prickly feeling miraculously disappears.
I guess it lowers the temperature of the brain. It really cools down.

I feel that a nap not only clears your mind but also your heart.
Power naps are also important for controlling the amount of stress you experience each day.

Effect 5: It's also good for your health. Isn't that just too good to be true?

"People who take naps live longer" -- this is actually quite true.

Research overseas has shown that people who take 30-minute naps at least three times a week reduce their risk of heart disease by more than 30%.
Furthermore, it has many other benefits, such as stabilizing blood pressure and preventing stroke and diabetes.

In other words, naps should not only be seen as a time of relaxation, but also as a way to save for health in the future.

Instead of drinking too much coffee or eating convenience store food, take a nap first. This may be a pretty realistic way to stay healthy.

How to incorporate power naps?

I understand what you're saying: "I'd like to try it, but sleeping at work is a bit..."
However, more and more companies are now allowing people to take naps at their desks, and if you have earphones, an eye mask, and a 15-minute alarm, you can actually do it anywhere.

The recommended flow is:

1. Avoid taking it immediately after lunch, wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating
2. No need to lie down, just sit in a chair
3. Set your alarm for 15-20 minutes (be careful not to oversleep)
4. When you wake up, first take a sip of water and do some light stretching.

That's it. Just a little habit can change your afternoon routine.

Summary: Sleeping is not slacking, it's a strategy

If you're someone who says, "I don't have time to sleep!", try incorporating power naps.
On the contrary, sleeping can increase your productivity, give you more ideas, and improve your health.

In other words, a good nap is the best value for money investment.

Just 15 minutes can make a difference in a few hours of your afternoon.
Isn't that a rather fascinating custom?

Cut down on that afternoon coffee and take a nap instead.
This may be the first step to changing who you are tomorrow.