© 2024 South Carolina Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Benefits of Napping

Earthsense

Our schedules tend to be jam packed with work, school, and everything in between, but if you can carve out ten to thirty minutes for a nap, you may feel a boost in your mental and physical well-being.  There are many benefits to taking a nap including improved cardiovascular health and healthy weight management.

Think about a 10 minute cat nap to stave off the mid afternoon slump rather than reaching for the sugary drink!  If you can manage it, take a nap between one and three pm and keep it under forty-five minutes to avoid grogginess.  The key here is that you want a quick rest, not a full REM cycle!  A ten minute nap can enhance your mood and increase alertness.  A twenty minute nap can revitalize and sharpen your senses and a thirty minute nap improves memory and physical health.  Naps have been shown to have a host of health benefits, no wonder it was our favorite activity during pre-school!