Study: Naps ARE Good For You!

Here in South Texas, the concept of the siesta is not unfamiliar. Most of us know how brief, refreshing "power nap" (if one has the ability to take one) can give you that little "re-charge" of our internal batteries to get through the remainder of a tough work day.

Now, researchers at California State University Berkeley have proof that napping is not only good for you, it's natural for human beings to want to take siestas!

Here's part of the article posted at the minds.com blog:

In some places, towns essentially shut down in the afternoon while everyone goes home for a siesta. Unfortunately, in the U.S.—more bound to our corporate lifestyles than our health—a mid-day nap is seen as a luxury and, in some cases, a sign of pure laziness. But before you feel guilty about that weekend snooze or falling asleep during a movie, rest assured that napping is actually good for you and a completely natural phenomena in the circadian (sleep-wake cycle) rhythm.

 

As our day wears on, even when we get enough sleep at night, our focus and alertness degrade. While this can be a minor inconvenience in modern times, it may have meant life or death for our ancestors. Whether you are finishing up a project for work or hunting for your livelihood, a nap can rekindle your alertness and have your neurons back up and firing on high in as little as 15 to 20 minutes.

 

You can read more about this research report at the link below. Now, if you'll excuse me...(**yaaaawwnn**), I feel a short nap coming on!

(via Napping can Dramatically Increase Learning, Memory, Awareness, and More | Minds.)