Napping Benefits For Adults, Couples, and Menopausal Women

Siesta Time is beneficial

If you are a healthy adult you should benefit from napping in the afternoon. Sheltering in place for the coronavirus is a good time to gain extra z’s. The Mayo Clinic offers the bonuses and drawbacks of taking a nap. They also offer some tips for the right and wrong ways to take get extra shut-eye. Taking an afternoon snooze will reduce fatigue, increase relaxation, improve your mood, help you be more alert, and improve both memory and performance. You will also experience a better reaction time. The Mayo Clinic recommends 10-20 minutes for an afternoon nap because anything longer may interfere with nighttime sleeping.

Napping negatives

Napping can also have negative effects, such as sleep inertia. It’s possible you might feel disoriented and groggy when you wake up. Sleeping during the daytime might cause you to be up late and not sleep during the night. Individuals who already have a hard time sleeping at night or who have been diagnosed with insomnia may find a nap makes things worse. Napping isn't for everyone because some people simply are not able to sleep during the daytime. Some individuals may have trouble sleeping in places other than their own beds. This makes it difficult to nap on a couch, chair, or while riding in a vehicle.

Make it a family affair

During the sheltering in place, you might want to make napping a family affair by taking an afternoon snooze with your spouse or children. You could also make it siesta time. Historically, the siesta is the daytime sleep of Spain and other nations through Spanish influence, It is common throughout Southern Europe Mainland China, and the Mediterranean.

This is the traditional sleep period during the hottest part of the day and hails from Spain. Other nations partake of this afternoon nap through Spanish influence. For couples, there is an added benefit to sleeping and napping together. Studies indicate that being physically close to someone at any point during the day will make you feel better and that touching someone releases serotonin and dopamine which boost your mood and alleviate depression.

Napping with your significant other

Cuddling, snuggling, and spooning with your partner throughout the day provides a boost to your emotional well-being. The increase in the feel good hormones is beneficial to both partners as it reduces stress. There is an additional benefit for women according to a study by Wendy M. Troxel, who is an assistant professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. The research indicates that females in long-term, stable relationships fell asleep quicker and woke up less frequently than single women. Those in long-term relationships also did better than women whose relationship status changed during the time of the study.

A study done at the University of Hertfordshire indicates that 86 percent of couples who slept within an inch of one another were happy in their relationship. Only 66 percent of couples who slept with more than 30 inches between them indicated the same. Keep in mind that everyone’s sleep requirements are different. There may be times when couples should sleep apart. This study is pointing out that overall, those who enjoy snuggling with their partner sleep seemed to have stronger bonds and happier relationships. If you find extra time on your hands during the pandemic sheltering in place, consider taking an afternoon nap while snuggling with your spouse. Be mindful if young children are around because strange things can happen while you nap. The grandkids might put lipstick on your face or cover you with stuffed animals.

Napping improves menopausal symptoms

Menopausal women may obtain benefits from an afternoon nap. Those going through the change of life often find they are up late at night but don’t feel tired the next day. This does not mean there are no negative side effects from th lack of sleep.

Menopausal women also often experience short-term memory lapses. Since the Mayo Clinic indicates an afternoon nap can boost memory perhaps females in this stage of life could benefit from napping. The sheltering in place is an ideal time to enjoy a few extra winks. While you are sleeping you won’t be worrying about your current situation or listening to news reports about how bad things are. This is the ideal time to relax your mind and body.