Bert Swope
There are a number of reasons why napping is so beneficial to the body. It can increase the memory, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. You might be surprised to learn that it also increases the sex life, and helps you enhance your sexual performance.
Increase memory
Taking a nap is a great way to increase memory health. It can boost energy, boost your mood, and improve cognitive functions. However, there are a few tips you should keep in mind before you make the decision to nap.
For starters, make sure you choose the right time of day. Sleeping later in the day can make it harder to fall asleep. If you’re trying to get a decent night’s sleep, try to get your naps in earlier in the day.
Naps can also help you manage stress, improve memory and even enhance creativity. They can boost your alertness and help you avoid the sleep inertia that can cause poor quality sleep. Having an alarm set for 15 to 30 minutes after you get out of bed can also help.
A study at the University of Sheffield, for example, found that a 30-minute nap improved infant memory. The study also found that short naps had a positive effect on alertness and cognitive performance.
In the same vein, a 2006 study in Current Biology noted that napping helped consolidate hippocampus-dependent memories. Not surprisingly, this isn’t the only study to find the hippocampus to be a critical contributor to memory consolidation.
Research has also shown that slow-wave sleep, or non-Rapid Eye Movement stage 3 sleep, is one of the keys to memory consolidation. During this stage, the brain slows down oscillations in the cerebral cortex and enables memory to stabilize.
Although some studies have found that short naps can boost alertness and increase memory, longer naps can actually interfere with memory. Older adults, for instance, should avoid taking naps for more than half an hour.
In the same vein, a study from the Experimental Neuropsychology Unit at Saarland found the following: a brief, one-hour nap had a minor effect on memory performance, although it’s worth noting that the naps of the older generation are likely to be shorter than those of the younger.
The Mini Mental State Exam, for example, is a standardized dementia screening test that measures attention span, spatial awareness, and problem solving. Another study found that word pairs are better remembered after a quick nap than after watching a DVD.
Lower blood pressure
A recent study suggests that daytime naps may have an effect on blood pressure. While there are a number of factors known to affect blood pressure, this study is the first to look at the effects of a midday nap.
Researchers studied blood pressure readings for 24 hours in three groups. One group was made up of people who were not diagnosed with high or stroke blood pressure. Another was composed of people who had moderately controlled blood pressure. The third group was comprised of people who had high or stroke blood pressure. They also provided information on their health and lifestyle habits.
During the study, participants wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. Each participant had his or her pressure reading taken several times throughout the day. These readings were then used to compare the blood pressures of participants who nipped and those who did not.
The average 24-hour systolic blood pressure was 5.3 mm lower for participants who napped. This was comparable to the 3 mm drop that most antihypertensive medications provide. Similarly, a drop of 2 mm was enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by up to 10%.
Study participants were recruited in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010. About 500,000 individuals participated in the study. Most were middle-aged or older adults of European descent. Some were also smokers. Approximately one in four of the study participants was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Despite the fact that the study had limitations, it is important to note that the results are supported by the similar dipping of blood pressure rates at night. Further studies need to be performed to fully understand the connection between naps and hypertension.
The findings of this study are promising. They suggest that a midday nap can provide the same benefits to heart health as other lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy, exercising, and controlling cholesterol levels. However, researchers warn that more research is needed to fully validate the findings.
According to the study’s director, Dr. Phyllis Zee, future research is needed to determine whether a nap’s impact on blood pressure is the same as that of other factors. She also notes that further studies are needed to explore the relationship between a midday nap and hypertension.
Reduce stress
Naps are an easy way to reduce stress and boost your mood. They are especially useful for people who are not getting enough sleep at night, or who are working for more than eight hours.
The short term benefits of napping include improved memory and cognitive function, better memory recall, and enhanced concentration. Studies have shown that short naps increase the amount of activity in the right hemisphere of the brain, which governs creativity. In addition, naps can increase levels of serotonin, which is a key hormone that controls your mood.
The American Heart Association has been conducting research on the effects of napping on heart health. It found that short naps may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if they are taken on a regular basis.
Short naps also boost your immune system, and help your body process the stress you are experiencing. However, too many naps can lead to sleep inertia. A good way to avoid this is by limiting the total duration of your nap to 30 minutes.
Sleep deprivation can cause a number of negative effects on your health, including a decrease in your mental and physical performance. One study from the University of California at Irvine found that taking a short nap before dinner improves memory, accuracy, and attention. Another found that a 20-minute nap had a significant effect on the level of stress hormones in the blood.
There is no perfect time for a nap, but the best times to take one are between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Typically, this is the time of day when most people are naturally tired.
While you can’t replace a full night’s sleep, a 30-minute nap can help regulate your hormones, lower your blood pressure, and ease your mood. By boosting the amount of serotonin in your system, naps can reduce your stress.
If you work a 9-5 schedule, it’s especially important to take a nap in the morning. This will allow your brain to recover from the demands of the workday, and reduce your chances of developing sleep problems at night.
Enhance sex life
Napping can be a great way to enhance your sexual life. Aside from a quick pick-me-up, a nap can also be a great way to lower stress and improve your mood. If you’re looking for a little extra boost, a 20-minute snooze can be just the thing for you.
Several studies have shown that sleep plays a significant role in sexual function. For instance, one study found that women who slept one hour more at night had a better sexual experience the next day. In addition, a longer sleep duration was associated with higher levels of arousal, which can also increase your sexual desire.
However, napping should not replace a good night’s rest. It can also be helpful to take a 20-minute nap to reduce your stress and improve your mood. This is particularly useful during busy times, such as when you’re working. Taking a nap can help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, which can also boost your memory and make you more productive during the day.
