Have you ever spent several days in total stress while writing a new essay until the deadline or when preparing for a test? Every human body has the ability to use special tricks that can help you reduce tiredness and stress. When you need to refresh your mind, but you can’t afford normal sleep, you can take a power nap. Here are some tips on how to take a power nap effectively and become more productive.
1. Pick the Right Time to Take a Power Nap
When you start feeling tired and try to resist sleepiness, it is time to take a nap! Listen to your body; stop doing anything in a minute and if you start closing your eyes, be sure that a power nap will help you become more active in 15 minutes. If you practice power napping regularly, you will see that your body feels recharged. The body’s rhythms usually come to energy recession in 8 hours after awakening. So organize your schedule in a way to take power naps at suitable times.
2. Find a Place that Is Quiet Enough to Take a Rest
If you are taking power naps in your room, put a sign on the door “Don’t disturb. Power napping.” Make sure that the place you have chosen to nap will not disturb anyone else. If you decided to take power naps at work, you should ask your boss if it is suitable for you to sleep at the workplace. If it is not, you may refer to the surveys that say the third part of American companies allow their workers to sleep at work and the productivity of workers constantly increases.
3. Organize Your Environment
Choosing a bed or sofa to take a rest may not be a good idea, as it is more likely that you will fall asleep for a long time in too cozy of a place. It will be better if you choose a chair or a cozy seat. You may also use a hammock or a lawn; just find out what places are suitable for your power napping.
- Open a window to allow the fresh air to come into your napping place. Do not forget to have a warm blanket if it is cold outside.
- Turn off all distractions such as cell phones, players, and computers.
- Make sure that you have warned all possible visitors not to disturb you for 15–20 minutes. Do not forget to put up a note.
- If the silence cannot relax you, get out some headphones and turn on some soft music or white noise.
- Darken your napping place; cut the lights. If there are lights that you cannot cut off, use a sleep mask or sunglasses and a hat.
- Set the alarm clock. A power nap length should be no longer than 20 minutes, as after 20 minutes, the body begins the phase of a deep sleep and it is difficult to wake up. In addition, you can drink a cup of coffee or tea before going to nap. Caffeine is absorbed by your body in 30–45 minutes, and when you will wake up, it starts working.
- Now you need to just go nap!