As a child, I disliked afternoon nap terribly, and it was impossible to put me to bed even in kindergarten. When I was in the senior group, the teachers gave up on this empty occupation and allowed me to read during my nap. It was only at the institute that I realized the value of such an opportunity — to take a nap in the afternoon after lunch.
Either those who work at home or those lucky people who work in companies that support this event can sleep during the day. After all, just 26 minutes of afternoon nap increases productivity by 34%, and mindfulness — by 54%! Do you want to know more interesting facts?
10-20 seconds — nano-nap.
from 2 to 5 minutes — micro-nap. It shows amazing effectiveness in the fight against rolling drowsiness.
from 5 to 20 minutes — mini nap. Increases mindfulness, endurance, and productivity.
20 minutes is a real good sleep. It includes the benefits of micro- and mini-dreams, as well as improves muscle memory and cleanses the brain of unnecessary information. Which in turn improves long-term memory.
from 50 to 90 minutes — a lazy man's nap. It includes all phases of sleep and has a positive effect on the processes of perception. Also, during such a long daytime sleep, bone and muscle regeneration occurs.
Taking a nap for 60 minutes improves alertness. The effect can last up to 10 hours.
Studies conducted jointly with NASA pilots have shown that daytime sleep for 26 minutes during flight (when the ship is controlled by autopilot) improves productivity by 34% and attentiveness by 54%.
The National Day of Daytime Sleep is celebrated on March 14. For the first time this unofficial holiday was celebrated in 1999.
Most mammals sleep for short periods during the day. The person canceled this intermediate sleep for himself and left only a long night's sleep. But our bodies are still programmed for two periods of intense sleep: from two in the morning to four in the morning and in the afternoon from one to three.
NBA and NHL players like to sleep during the day.
In October 2010, the first national Siesta Championship was held in Madrid, Spain. The winner won 1,000 euros.
Recent studies have shown that sleeping in a slightly swaying bed helps you fall asleep faster.
Siesta culture reduces the likelihood of coronary heart disease. Studies conducted in Greece in 2007 showed that among 24,000 participants, those who slept during the day at least twice a week reduced their chances of getting coronary heart disease by 12%. If the number of daily siestas increased up to three times, the chances decreased by as much as 37%!
Short nap:
— reduces drowsiness during the day by 10%;
— raises the mood by 11%;
— improves the quality of interaction by 10%;
— increases mindfulness by 11%;
— increases productivity by 11%;
— improves brain activity by 9%;
— improves physical health by 6%;
— reduces evening insomnia by 14%;
— increases the ability to stay awake at night by 12%;
— increases the feeling of renewal after waking up by 5%;
— increases the night sleep time by about 20 minutes.
Nike. Nike employees now have access to quiet, cozy rooms for daytime naps.
Google. Google specifically rents campuses with mountain views for its employees, where they can relax during the day.
British Airways Continental. British Airways Continental allows its pilots to take a nap during long-term flights at a time when they are replaced by colleagues.
The number of places for day rest in 2011 increased from 5% to 6%.
In a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, it turned out that among 1,508 adults surveyed, 34% are allowed daytime sleep, and 16% have special rooms allocated for this purpose in offices.
Daytime sleep originates from Muslim traditions and is recorded in the Quran. The Spanish word siesta comes from the Latin Hora Sexto, which means a six-hour sleep.
The Romans had a siesta, and it was more a necessity than a luxury.
There is something similar to a siesta in Serbia and Slovenia and is called a "house rule". People turn off their phones and do not pay visits from two in the afternoon until five in the evening.
In Bengal, the word that describes the tradition of daytime sleep — bhat-ghum, means rice-sleep — sleep after lunch.
In the southern, German—speaking regions, Mittagspause or Mittagsruhe is still relevant - shops close in the afternoon, and children should play outside quietly.
In the northern regions of India, there is also a concept of daytime sleep — sustana, which literally translates as "a little nap". It doesn't have to be a nap, a simple rest also fits this definition.
Afternoon nap is widely practiced in China and Taiwan and is called wujiao. Most schools in these countries have a nap break after lunch, which lasts half an hour.
In some offices in Japan, there are rooms that are specially allocated for the afternoon nap of the company's employees.
Bill Clinton slept in the afternoon after lunch during his tenure as President of the United States. It helped him cope with the pressure of the office.
dozed on his piano while composing his famous lullaby.
Napoleon dozed between battles, sitting on a horse.
Churchill talked about the need for sleep after lunch. This helped him cope with the responsibility that lay on him during the hostilities.
Margaret Thatcher slept during the day in order to be in the best shape.
Geniuses like Thomas Addison and Leonardo da Vinci also liked to sleep during the day.
Einstein dozed during the day. It helped him stay lucid. He was dozing, sitting in his chair and holding a pencil in his hand. As soon as the pencil fell out of his hand, he immediately woke up. This helped him not to fall into a deep sleep, waking up after which is much more difficult.
Lately I've been feeling like Einstein — I fall asleep at my laptop and wake up as soon as I feel that balance is lost and I'm about to bang my head on the table :)
And how do you feel about daytime sleep and would you like at least a short siesta to be allowed in your office?
