How a power nap will improve your life

I am the type of lady who can indeed give in to a chocolade-chip-grapes-and-french-cheese craving. Once such a need is satisfied it goes hand in hand with a little shut eye. Still 13 people to call, 20 emails to answer and 3 pieces begging to be written, the call of an afternoon nap rings loud in my ears.

And you know what? It might even just improve performance. It seems that all the high rollers and deep thinkers have taken part in the little afternoon kip on the couch. Margaret Thatcher, JFK even Albert Einstein were all famous nappers. An old celebrity colleague from my television days was often found stretch out under his desk, catching a few Z’s before showtime. Manhattan bankers and actors have come up with the MetroNaps enabling them an undisturbed moment to close their eyes. A power nap is a small investment of time with great results. Sounds like music to the ears.

Pointers for the power nappers:

Remember, you are not lazy

In some cultures, such as here in Holland where there is a strong Calvinistic undercurrent, the idea of going off for a little sleep during the day can really pinch at the ’toughen up and get back to work’ nature. But investing those twenty minutes can boost productivity, improve your memory and reduce your stress level.

Preferably nap in the morning

A brief technical side step. Your sleep pattern consists of five phases in which you fall asleep at phase one and you move into a refreshing stage in your second phase. The five stages of sleep can take a total of ninety minutes. Once the cycle is complete it then starts again from the beginning. With a power nap it’s essential to wake up after phase two. That’s after twenty minutes. In the afternoon you’re tired and there is a chance that you might sleep beyond phase two leaving you moody instead of fresh and fruity.

Eat light and no coffee

If you’ve eaten something heavy and have drunk a lot of coffee, you won’t fall asleep so easily. Choose calcium-rich food with plenty of protein.

Find a clean, quiet place.

There are some people that can sleep anywhere at any time. I am not one of those. Some people need some time to get used to daytime sleeping. A bed in a quiet place will help you.

Make it dark

Close the curtains or wear a sleep mask. When it is dark, your body makes melatonin and this helps you to fall asleep.

Reach for a blanket

When you sleep, your body temperature drops. Set the temperature a few degrees higher or throw a nice blanket(https://amayzine.com/en/2014/peggys-pages-autumn-must-haves/) over yourself.

Set your alarm clock

Lie down and get cosy. When you feel ready for it and confident that you will be able to nap, set the alarm just before closing your eyes. Give yourself twenty minutes and I bet you’ll feel reborn.