The afternoon nap is an important moment of the day for many people. For some it lasts a matter of minutes. For others, however, it can last for hours. Surely in the summer or on vacation you can allow yourself a few more naps. Above all, the sultry heat is the cause of that post-meal numbness that makes us doze off on the sofa. However, there are also those who argue that the afternoon nap is absolutely unhealthy.
Neither the latter nor the supporters of the nap are entirely right. And even the experts are divided into multiple factions. Over time, the benefits for the body and mind have been demonstrated. But pay attention to the afternoon nap because with the benefits also come the side effects. It is true that taking a little rest in the afternoon allows you to better remember what you have learned in the morning. Napping is often recommended for students who want to memorize information faster. This is because the areas of the brain involved in memory are reactivated during sleep.
In addition, taking a short nap helps lower the level of stress hormones, such as cortisol. This helps eliminate tension, restores new energy and improves mood, and benefits the heart. The University of Brussels and Liège states that sleep strengthens the white blood cells and therefore the immune system. Those who sleep little at night can recover with an afternoon nap.
Beware of the afternoon nap because with the benefits also come the side effects
But after all these benefits, one wonders what the side effects of the siesta will be. It has been shown that the perfect time for post-meal rest is 20 to 30 minutes maximum. If you exceed this time frame, you risk going into deep sleep. In this way there is the risk of disturbing the real sleep, the nocturnal one. There are people who say they wake up from their nap nervous, tired and with a bad headache. Surely they will have passed the half hour of sleep, undergoing a rude awakening. When this happens it is the equivalent of being awakened in the middle of the night, with heavy repercussions on mood and mental performance.
Experts also say that the most suitable times for siesta are from 1pm to 4pm. After this time you could interfere with sleep at night. It is also the body that after eating requires to stop and rest. Precisely for this reason the nap must take place after lunch. The only rule is that you eat a light, low-fat, digestible meal. On the contrary, it is better to take a good walk that helps digestion so as not to risk everything remaining on the stomach.