ATD Blog
How Power Naps Can Energize Your Workday
Tue May 26 2015
Content
In my last blog , I discussed how getting enough sleep affects how you manage your workday. Basically, if you awaken by alarm clock, you probably didn’t get enough sleep. It’s better to find the time when you can retire and easily wake up on your own the next morning without the aid of an alarm.
In my last blog, I discussed how getting enough sleep affects how you manage your workday. Basically, if you awaken by alarm clock, you probably didn’t get enough sleep. It’s better to find the time when you can retire and easily wake up on your own the next morning without the aid of an alarm.
Content
Here’s how it works: If you need eight hours of sleep to function properly, then you’ll have to retire by 10:00 p.m. the night before to get up at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. However, many of us go to bed at 11:30 and still get up by alarm, thinking we can slug through the day—and in the short term, we can. In the long term, though, the lack of sleep will catch up to us.
Here’s how it works: If you need eight hours of sleep to function properly, then you’ll have to retire by 10:00 p.m. the night before to get up at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. However, many of us go to bed at 11:30 and still get up by alarm, thinking we can slug through the day—and in the short term, we can. In the long term, though, the lack of sleep will catch up to us.
Content
Some strategies people employ to ease their sleepy mornings is to lay out their clothes the night before (like our mothers did for us when we were children). Others make sure to have nutritious food ready. You know too well that eating junk at home or eating anything on the run is not going to give you the fuel you need to accomplish tasks at work. You’ll run out of gas too soon, and then look for quick and easy stimulants. Can someone say caffeine?
Some strategies people employ to ease their sleepy mornings is to lay out their clothes the night before (like our mothers did for us when we were children). Others make sure to have nutritious food ready. You know too well that eating junk at home or eating anything on the run is not going to give you the fuel you need to accomplish tasks at work. You’ll run out of gas too soon, and then look for quick and easy stimulants. Can someone say caffeine?
Content
This is no way to work, no way to treat your body, and no way to pass through your life’s journey. Enter the power nap.
This is no way to work, no way to treat your body, and no way to pass through your life’s journey. Enter the power nap.
Content
The Effect of Napping
The Effect of Napping
Content
Naps are a good subsidy to normal sleep patterns. In general, they increase your alertness for the rest of the day. But naps are not a good substitute for regularly getting the right amount of sleep. It’s best not to use naps to catch up on sleep if you short-change yourself nightly.
Naps are a good subsidy to normal sleep patterns. In general, they increase your alertness for the rest of the day. But naps are not a good substitute for regularly getting the right amount of sleep. It’s best not to use naps to catch up on sleep if you short-change yourself nightly.
Content
Also, if and how you nap can affect your sleeping and waking routines. The best nap time is between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Any later in the day and your nap may be too deep, interfering with your nightly sleep. Some people nap easily; others can't seem to nap at all. You already know into which camp you fall.
Also, if and how you nap can affect your sleeping and waking routines. The best nap time is between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Any later in the day and your nap may be too deep, interfering with your nightly sleep. Some people nap easily; others can't seem to nap at all. You already know into which camp you fall.
Content
Also, your quality of sleep will be much higher and the immediate benefits more apparent if you nap in a bed or cot as opposed to a chair. Although everyone feels a little groggy for a few minutes after a nap, this gradually subsides.
Also, your quality of sleep will be much higher and the immediate benefits more apparent if you nap in a bed or cot as opposed to a chair. Although everyone feels a little groggy for a few minutes after a nap, this gradually subsides.
Content
Surprisingly, short naps are more productive than long naps. A short nap will leave you refreshed; a long nap may interfere with your sleep that evening. Naps of 20 minutes or less usually help avoid REM sleep, a stage where you're likely to wake up groggy and stay that way.
Surprisingly, short naps are more productive than long naps. A short nap will leave you refreshed; a long nap may interfere with your sleep that evening. Naps of 20 minutes or less usually help avoid REM sleep, a stage where you're likely to wake up groggy and stay that way.
Content
To derive the most from your nap time, safeguard the nap area before you nod off by making sure that your phone, computer, and other gadgets will not disturb you. Post a "Do Not Disturb" sign if you think it will help.
To derive the most from your nap time, safeguard the nap area before you nod off by making sure that your phone, computer, and other gadgets will not disturb you. Post a "Do Not Disturb" sign if you think it will help.
Content
Adjust and Win
Adjust and Win
Content
Bottom line: Getting enough sleep is the key to having enough energy to successfully get through your workday. You might need to readjust your sleeping habits to get the most from those treasured ZZZZZs.
Bottom line: Getting enough sleep is the key to having enough energy to successfully get through your workday. You might need to readjust your sleeping habits to get the most from those treasured ZZZZZs.