March 18, 2007
Power Nap Good for Recharge
With all the demands of the college lifestyle and the perpetual lack of sleep that tends to go along with it, college students often find themselves looking for alternative ways to help them to keep on going.
However, despite the popularity and convenience of the variety of coffees, sodas and energy drinks, it seems that a short nap is the most effective and healthy way for sleep deprived students to recharge.
Jim Almeda, health educator and faculty sponsor of Peer Educators, said that while naps do have the potential to throw off your sleep cycle, most research supports the notion that naps can be beneficial.
"We suggest to college students that they try and go to bed at about the same time every night and try to get in about eight hours of sleep. However, the college lifestyle may not always allow for this, so taking a nap during the day may help some students feel more rested overall," Almeda said.
Almeda said the key to an effective nap is to keep it relatively short and not take it too late in the day. The length of a typical "power nap" should be between 15 to 20 minutes, which is just enough time to get some real rest and not fall into a deeper sleep cycle. He also said a good target time to take a nap would be between noon and two in the afternoon.
There are also a number of professional offices that are realizing the possible benefits of napping and are allowing time for their employees to sleep during the workday.
Some even provide napping areas with comfortable chairs and couches.
However, most professionals agree that a good night's rest is the best way to stay energized.
Dr. David West, medical director of the Sleep Center of Central Illinois, said he feels that the best way to maintain a healthy sleep cycle is to get enough sleep in the first place.
"In general, everyone should get an appropriate amount of sleep each night," West said.
West suggests that college students should get approximately eight to 10 hours of sleep each night and should also try and get themselves on a regular sleeping routine.
"There are no quick fixes when it comes to not getting enough sleep," West said.
However, West also mentioned that if a student is truly sleep deprived, taking a short nap is a reasonable method to rest.
However, despite the popularity and convenience of the variety of coffees, sodas and energy drinks, it seems that a short nap is the most effective and healthy way for sleep deprived students to recharge.
Jim Almeda, health educator and faculty sponsor of Peer Educators, said that while naps do have the potential to throw off your sleep cycle, most research supports the notion that naps can be beneficial.
"We suggest to college students that they try and go to bed at about the same time every night and try to get in about eight hours of sleep. However, the college lifestyle may not always allow for this, so taking a nap during the day may help some students feel more rested overall," Almeda said.
Almeda said the key to an effective nap is to keep it relatively short and not take it too late in the day. The length of a typical "power nap" should be between 15 to 20 minutes, which is just enough time to get some real rest and not fall into a deeper sleep cycle. He also said a good target time to take a nap would be between noon and two in the afternoon.
There are also a number of professional offices that are realizing the possible benefits of napping and are allowing time for their employees to sleep during the workday.
Some even provide napping areas with comfortable chairs and couches.
However, most professionals agree that a good night's rest is the best way to stay energized.
Dr. David West, medical director of the Sleep Center of Central Illinois, said he feels that the best way to maintain a healthy sleep cycle is to get enough sleep in the first place.
"In general, everyone should get an appropriate amount of sleep each night," West said.
West suggests that college students should get approximately eight to 10 hours of sleep each night and should also try and get themselves on a regular sleeping routine.
"There are no quick fixes when it comes to not getting enough sleep," West said.
However, West also mentioned that if a student is truly sleep deprived, taking a short nap is a reasonable method to rest.
Labels: nap, power nap, powernap
