As we remain working from home during this difficult period, productivity for prolonged periods can be challenging. This is where napping comes in, as science has proven that naps are one of the best ways individuals can raise their performance during the middle of the day. However, while this is true, there are still plenty of myths and false beliefs that can deter adults from finding time to nap during the day.

Here are 5 myths that you should know about napping so that you too can receive good rest the right way!

Myth 1: There is not enough time for napping

Many believe that there is simply not enough time for napping throughout the day and during the afternoon. This could not be further from the truth! As we are at home and spend close to 12 hours of our time in front of a computer screen, sometimes taking 15 minutes to unplug and unwind can help you to refresh and reboot yourself.

There are also other ways of clearing up time for napping in your schedule. Simply putting down your smartphone, moving away from technology and attempting to rest can ensure that you are able to catch some quality rest in the afternoon.

Myth 2: Naps affect sleep at night

Many believe that naps in the afternoon can affect the quality of the sleep that we receive at night. While this may be true in some ways, naps are often dictated by the timing that you choose to nap. For example, many experts believe that naps are great before 2 pm and between 15 to 20 minutes. This is because you will wake up just before you reach the stages of lighter sleep, giving you a quick boost for the rest of the day ahead.

If you spend too long napping, between 30 minutes to an hour, this can significantly affect sleep at night. To ensure you receive a completely healthy sleep cycle, 90 minutes is often the right nap time you should aim for.

Myth 3: Napping can make you feel even more exhausted

It is possible to wake up tired after a nap and feel as though we had wasted our nap time. As pointed out above, the timing of your naps is important. The most important thing to when you nap is sleep phases, where our brain moves into different phases depending on how long we nap.

This is why spending too much time napping can put us in a deep phase of sleep, making us feel exhausted when we wake up. Always ensure that you do not spend more than 20 minutes to nap, and you won’t wake up feeling tired!

Myth 4: Naps are for lazy people

Not only is this myth not true, but naps are also essential for everybody! Many famous, influential people in history have admitted to the importance of napping, such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. According to NASA study conducted on sleepy military pilots and astronauts, it was found that a 40-min nap improved alertness by 100% and performance by 34%. On the contrary of being mistaken as lazy, this can make you be even more hardworking to resume your work and enjoy enhanced productivity.

Myth 5: You will be more productive in your work than napping

When you step away from your desk to snooze, napping can indeed delay the task that you trying to finish. However, you will also be able to make up for the time wasted as sustained productivity in the afternoon can be crucial. Otherwise, you can also end up delaying your task if you’re unable to focus and concentrate.

If taking a nap for 20 minutes can help you feel refreshed to continue your work, it can be worthwhile to take a short nap. This helps to freshen up your eyes, improve alertness, increase creative levels and ensure you are in a clear state of mind to finish your remaining tasks.

Conclusion

Napping is beneficial for many working adults during this difficult period of COVID-19 and working from home. While we may spend a lot more time on our computers, rest is vital to ensure we can stay productive throughout the day. If you are seeking for even more ways to enhance your sleep cycle and to refresh yourself, then you can always pick out the best cooling mattress from Four Star Mattress, the Detense ArcticSilk series!

The Detense ArcticSilk series brings the best memory foam mattress to you so that you can constantly stay cool and fresh throughout the night. When paired with a storage bed, you can give yourself a tidier bedroom and the best of both worlds: a refreshing nap whenever you need it, and anti-static features to ensure you get the satisfying rest you require and face less lethargy in the morning!

Shop from Four Star today and get the best napping experience as you stay safe at home and flatten the curve!