Your Body On Naps

When you were a little kid, you probably took a rest in the middle of the day. You might have felt really grumpy if you didn’t. But did you know that teens and adults can also benefit from taking a nap? Naps should never take the place of a full night’s sleep. But a short daytime rest can help you feel more alert and less fatigued. In fact, most sleep experts agree that brief midday naps supercharge your mind, body, and mood. So snooze away!

A recent study showed that athletes who took short naps had better reaction times compared with athletes who didn’t nap. 

Taking a 20-minute afternoon nap can help regulate your mood and decrease irritability.

Studies show that adults who take one or two daytime naps per week have a reduced risk of health problems such as stroke compared with non-nappers.

Getting proper sleep is crucial for memory and learning. Taking naps can improve your ability to recall facts like names, dates, and places.

Not getting enough sleep can cause the levels of stress hormones in your body to go up. Studies suggest that napping can decrease these hormones, which helps your body’s immune response.