The nap manifesto
11. Reduce your risk of diabetes.
Sleep deprivation increases insulin and cortisol levels, which can raise the risk for type 2 diabetes, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Napping after meals will build up your defense against diabetes while improving the way you process your sugars.
12. Improve your stamina.
Whether you’re running a marathon or simply sitting through a series of meetings, a well-planned nap will keep you from fading out before the finish line. Studies have shown that a nap during or after work allows you to be as alert and ready for the second part of your day as if it were a brand-new day.
So if you need to finish a deadline project or simply want extra energy to interact more fruitfully with your friends and family after a long day at the office, take a nap first.
13. Elevate your mood.
While sleep deprivation causes irritability, depression and anger, napping bathes your brain in serotonin, reversing those effects and creating a more positive outlook.
14. Boost your creativity.
It’s no wonder that history’s great artists and inventors took naps. Napping allows your brain to create the loose associations necessary for creative insight and opens the way for a fresh burst of new ideas.
15. Reduce stress.
Stress and anxiety are the result of cortisol being produced in the adrenal glands. By releasing the antidote, growth hormone, a nap can reduce that stress and anxiety and make you a calmer person. So don’t worry, start napping.
kassandra