An article in the Vancouver Courier today by Dr. Davidicus Wong is reminding people of the benefits of embracing ‘the nap’ – he says, if it takes less than 5 minutes for you to fall asleep during the day, you may be suffering from a sleep deficit, and the need for a nap is your body and brain telling you that you need more sleep.
Dr. Wong believes that the nap is just a short-term solution and if you need a nap, it’s best to do so early in the day – either the morning or in the early afternoon. Naps taken later in the day can perpetuate a bad sleep-wake cycle by making it harder for you to fall asleep at your appropriate bedtime.
However, if you are someone who struggles with having a lie down, then a rest or change of pace can be just as effective. “As our brains and bodies cycle through natural rhythms throughout the day, we need a break – though not necessarily a nap – every 2 hours or so. When you feel restless or a little unfocussed during the midmorning or midafternoon, you may want to try a change of pace. Take up a different activity, take a short walk, stretch, meditate or listen to some music. If you’re not sleep-deprived, you should feel refreshed – without the need for a nap,” Dr. Wong claims.
This little video may help set a nice peaceful environment so you can ‘get your own nap on’ – if that is indeed what you need to do, or just help you chill out for a bit ;0)
