Nap time
Why is it when you’re a kid, naptime is the most dreaded part of the day, but when you become an adult, it is sometimes all you can think about? While we strongly encourage you to continue to aim for those 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, we understand that sometimes it just doesn’t happen.
On you off days, we encourage you take the opportunity when available to incorporate a power nap instead of reaching for the caffeine, especially if you have already reached your limit for the day. Not sure if you have, you can check here. If you have the time and space to nap, here’s what you need to do. Find a place you are comfortable resting. You can check out our wellness map for some great locations on campus for you to try. If you commute to campus, your car is always a perfect option especially because you can lean your seat back and get comfortable. Or rent a hammock from Campus Rec and cozy up outside. Set your alarm Twenty minutes is the perfect amount of sleep time to make you feel more alert and productive. Once you get into that 30 to 60 minute sleep range, you may actually feel worse afterward. So either aim for 20 or extend your nap to 90 minutes to ensure you go through the entire sleep cycle. Nappuccino Loving named by our co-worker, nappuccinos are when you consume your caffeine before you take your nap. Science shows that when you sip your caffeine before taking a power nap, you actually wake up more refreshed and energized because the caffeine has had time to get into your system. Timing is everything About an hour or two after lunch is the best time to nap. It is around this time that we start to feel that afternoon slump as a result of our blood sugar and energy levels dropping. Not only are you more sleepy during this time, but it is also a prime time to ensure that your power nap doesn’t impact your sleep schedule later that night. Get back at it Once your alarm goes off and your 20 minutes are up, it is ESSENTIAL that you get up and go! It may feel a little challenging to break out of your sleepy haze but once you do, it will instantly feel recharged and ready to go. |