5 Reasons Why Taking Naps Will Help You Be More Effective

The Benefits Regular Napping Can Give You

5 min readNov 20, 2018

The idea of taking naps daily is not something that is commonly practiced as part of our normal work day.

There is often a stigma associated to those who take regular naps. They can be perceived as slacking off, being lazy, uncommitted, unmotivated or a low-performing worker.

From the person taking naps perspective, they can feel guilty, especially if they have a lot to get done. If we become aware of the benefits of taking naps, we can decide if it’s something we want to try.

The days I take naps compared to days I don’t, I notice a significant different in my effectiveness, especially mid-afternoon to early evening.

Whenever I can, I’ll try and get a nap in mid-afternoon because that’s when my energy levels tends to drop. My intention is to take a nap daily because I know it helps make me more effective.

5 Reasons to Consider Taking Naps Daily

Although there is research proving napping is beneficial, here are five reasons, based on my own experiences, why taking naps is valuable.

It will make you feel rejuvenated. Energy management is critical in order to perform at a high level consistently. As our bodies needs rest to function optimally, taking naps helps us feel more relaxed and happier. This will assist us in feeling our best.
It will restore your concentration and alertness. We have a certain amount of will power each day. The longer we work, the more of our will power we use up, which affects our ability to stay focused. After taking a nap, we will feel refreshed and more alert, which will help us maintain our focus for the rest of the day.
It will reduce the likelihood of suffering burnout. We’re always on the go from the time we wake up. The longer we go on without taking care of ourselves well, the higher the chances of suffering a burnout. A daily nap is a quick way to slow down and give ourselves a chance to reset.
It will make you more productive. Being productive does not mean we have to be doing more. It often means doing the right things, at the right time. Taking naps will make us feel revitalized, which will help us make better decisions. The better rested we feel, the better we’ll be able to prioritize our work, which means we’ll be more productive and effective.
It will break up your day or routine. It’s easy to get into a routine of doing the same things over and over. A nap can be something to look forward to and a way to add variety to our day. We can even use taking a nap as an incentive to reach our daily milestones.

Simple Tips When Taking Naps

Set a time for how long your nap should be. Anywhere from 15–40 minutes is a good start.
Aim to take a nap at the same time each day in order to get into a routine.
Find a quiet place to take your nap. Ideally, you want to avoid natural or artificial light.
Be okay if you cannot fall asleep. It will take practice to get into a rhythm.
Make yourself as comfortable as you can. This will depend on the environment you’re in. Staying warm will help in being more comfortable.

Conclusion

The only way to find out if taking naps will be beneficial is to try it out. If we find we feel better and become more effective, it’s something to consider doing daily. If we don’t think we’re getting any benefits, we can always go back to doing what we have been.

I think anyone who starts taking naps daily will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Action Step: Schedule at least 15 minutes for nap time for at least one week. Pay attention to how you feel before and after you finish your nap. Based on the results, decide if it’s practical for you to take naps daily.

Question: What are other benefits of taking naps daily?

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