Wednesday, 01 February 2012 05:23
Napping has been shown to have all kinds of cognitive and medical benefits. In a 24/7 world in which everything and everyone is wired, there is more need for a nap than ever.
The monophasic cycle, though the most popular sleep pattern of humans, may not be the most natural. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 85 percent of mammals are polyphasic sleepers, or those who sleep in short segments throughout the day.
Western civilization followed this segmented pattern prior to the Industrial Revolution, but the, with the advent of electric lighting, abandoned it for the monophasic sleep most people subscribe to today.
Many countries, most notably Spain, still center their schedule around a siesta. Most Chinese schools program a half-hour nap right after lunch. Google, The Huffington Post and The New York Times are just a few companies that have devoted office space to napping on the job.
According to experts, many people still don’t understand that napping at work can increase your productivity and creativity. A 2008 study by the University of New York found memory function can be improved by a 45 minute nap. Other research has shown that naps can lower blood pressure.
However, sleep isn’t synonymous with happiness, as a 2009 Pew Research Center shows that unhappy people are more likely to nap on a given day than happy people (43 % compared to 31%).
Steve Wood
(Cherry Hill, N.J. Courier)
