The Good, The Bad and The Ugly … of Naps
5 Eye Opening Facts!
Ah, there’s so much pleasure in stretching out midday to enjoy a few minutes of shut-eye. Whether it’s a 20-minute siesta at lunchtime or a solid two-hour dream laden Sunday afternoon sleep fest, more and more information is developing regarding why napping may not be as beneficial as first thought.
- Excessive daytime sleeping may indicate that you are not getting enough sleep at night.
- Regular, multiple daytime naps may indicate a health situation.
- Nighttime insomnia means you need daytime sleep to compensate.
- Bedrooms that are cool, dark, without electrical products promote better sleep.
- Weighted blankets encourage deeper, longer sleep.
There are so many factors and distractions that can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Noise, too much light, time change, schedule changes, animal interference, a snorer, temperature flux and more can affect a good night’s dance with the sandman.
Going to bed early is easy for some during the winter months when extra sleep seems to be encouraged. Snuggling down for a long winter nap sounds delightful as long as you’re not suffering from Type II Diabetes or high blood pressure. Those two conditions may contribute to and indicate that further health situations may be developing when excessive napping is present.
Our Covid lockdowns promoted naps and once they became a part of a routine, they’re now greatly missed. Some people find it very difficult to forgo daily naps – they just function better with more sleep.
Shorter naps, say 20 to 30 minutes in length, seem to promote refreshment rather than sluggishness or sleepiness. Is napping a part of your routine?
Sleeping/napping can promote facial wrinkles if your face is smushed into your pillow. Think about it – hour after hour, night after night, month after month, year after year…those once tiny lines are destined to become deeply etched, sagging furrows that make your face look tired and old. Those lines are cute on a four-year old after a nap but on you, not so much.
Some of you try to sleep on your back to save your face – bravo! For those of you who are side sleepers, position the pillow behind your ear. Buckwheat pillows not only keep your face line free, but the buckwheat hulls are also cool. And don’t forget to slip on a silk pillowcase to ensure real beauty sleep.