What would we Spaniards be without our favorite custom? It is true that it is increasingly difficult to find time during the week to take a nap, but on days off there is no one to avoid it.
You probably didn't know it's a roman tradition, whose name means "sixth hour" and who had the habit of performing at the end of the meal in order to continue with the rest of the day full of vitality.
Although it may seem silly, taking a short break in the middle of the day brings several physical and mental benefits. We tell you all the curiosities of the siesta. Will you be able to skip it one more day?
How long should the nap last?
Many take the opportunity to sleep for more than an hour, but it really shouldn't be that long. According to experts, to enjoy the benefits, it is necessary to sleep between 10 minutes and 1 hour. Yes ok, a nap of about 20 minutes, added to the 8 hours of normal rest, is the perfect measure.
You should keep in mind that before going to bed, you have to wait about 15 minutes so as not to lie down just eaten. And try that don't last more than half an hour your nap. As soon as we pass the 30 minutes, we enter the REM phase (deep sleep stage) and waking up is not so easy.
Main benefits that it brings us
Both mentally and physically, the nap causes numerous benefits in our body.
Physicists
You may think that just as it is recommended to have dinner about two hours before going to sleep, the same happens with a nap, right? You're wrong. After lunch, our body needs a few minutes of rest. to replenish energy and continue with the rest of the day. Taking a nap during this time is not counterproductive nor will you be gaining weight.
Will help us reduce physical stress that we have accumulated since the first thing in the morning and our hearts will take a break to regulate heart rate.
Mental
After sleeping half an hour, you will be less stressed and you will be able to have a much more relaxed mental level with clear ideas. Surely you have also noticed that mental fatigue in the middle of the day; Give yourself time for a nap and recover.
Our reflexes are sharpened, we will have a better ability to reason and think, we will be more resolved in the face of problems and we will be able to concentrate much better.
Are there contraindications?
Nobody is bitter about a sweet, right? The nap problem appears when they do it people with insomnia problems and have difficulty sleeping at night.
It is also not recommended in people who have rotating shifts at work or at night. In a timely manner, there is no problem, but making it a habit can hinder our sleep and make us more tired.
How to take a perfect nap after eating?
While a power nap can alleviate a bad night's sleep, you shouldn't rely on any form of power nap to make up for a lack of sleep on a regular basis, as it only reinforces snooze issues.
Now that that's out of the way, here's your step-by-step plan for making a perfect power nap happen.
Plan for after lunch
It is natural to be sleepy right after lunch time. Supporting yourself at this time will make it easier to fall asleep. Be sure to schedule calls and tasks accordingly if you plan to take this break.
Wait until later and you may not feel like doing it anymore. Also, napping after 2 pm can interfere with bedtime.
Go to your room
If you are at home, go to your bed. In your bedroom, it's easier to recreate the ideal sleeping environment you have at night, which is cool, dark, and comfortable.
You're not at home? Find a place where you can lie down or lie down. Wear an eye mask, if you have one, that will block the light.
Use the timer
The nap should be 20 minutes, but it will take you a little while to fall asleep, so put it at 30 minutes. Set an alarm on your phone so you wake up when you plan.
Relax
Sleep cannot be forced. Instead of stressing about your ability to fall asleep or putting pressure on yourself to do so, remind yourself that this is a time to relax or meditate. Using this time to decompress can also be quite refreshing.