Napping is like a superpower

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

Napping is like a superpower. Your incredible laser eyes will help defeat bad guys, but at the same time, you just burned down a whole building. At least not literally. It is highly effective toward your alertness and well-being, especially during busy workdays. However, it does have negative drawbacks, which is what I’ll be explaining to you in my article!

First, let’s start with the many benefits of napping. Napping can boost mental functioning, memory, alertness, attention, and reaction time. As well as it improves creative thinking, which is why some companies have introduced napping rooms into the workplace. This isn’t really an example of this, but sometimes my dad uses his break to nap, and he says it freshens him up. I think it’s a good idea because most adults don’t get much sleep, at least not on purpose like teenagers.

According to livescience.com, “The brain uses nap time to process information gathered throughout the day, which appears to enhance problem-solving abilities.” One small study revealed that people who took short naps were less frustrated and impulsive, which resulted in better focus and efficiency when performing work-related tasks.

Also added by livescience.com, “Napping can also reduce stress.” One study found that naps of approximately 20 minutes improved the overall mood of participants. However, longer naps lasting more than 30 minutes are not typically associated with improved mood and increased feelings of well-being. Short naps may also be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. If we are awake more than we should be, we tend to have a buildup of fight or flight chemicals in our bodies. Studies show that more consistent sleep will help lower these chemicals, resulting in a normalization of blood pressure and heart rates. Napping appears to help this process for some people.

Now onto the drawbacks. Sleeping for more than 30 minutes can make you feel grogginess and disorientation which is linked to a condition called sleep inertia. If you are worried about this condition, don’t, because everyone experiences it almost every day.

According to https://www.sleepfoundation.org.sleep inertia is the groggy feeling upon waking, caused by abrupt disruption of sleep. Sleep inertia can briefly impair cognitive function and physical alertness before fading as you gain alertness. Consistent wake-up times, natural light exposure, and gentle alarms can help reduce it.

In addition, for those age 60 and up, longer naps — beyond 30 minutes — may increase the risk for cardiovascular problems. Researchers found that older adults taking naps for more than one hour per day have a higher incidence of increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, sometimes known as metabolic syndrome.

Also, if you nap during the day you will have trouble falling asleep at night. All in all, napping is 50/50 for me, what do you think? Are you going to risk napping?