December 17 2008
As someone balancing work and life, there are moments when it seems as if the only solution to my lengthy to-do list is a catnap. I know it sounds strange, but since I work from home, it’s possible, and so tempting when it seems as if nothing – most notably my brain – is working quite right. Thus, I thought that a quick justification (ahem! I mean “review”) of the benefits of a midday nap might be appropriate. Research shows the following:
- Humans have a “biological readiness” to fall asleep in the mid-afternoon
- An afternoon nap as short as 10 minutes can improve alertness, mood and mental performance
- Afternoon naps are especially beneficial in sleep-deprived individuals
- In many cultures, an afternoon nap is an expected part of the everyday schedule
Thus, I conclude that my afternoon nap (when I get it) is not laziness, but a necessary and beneficial part of living a high-performance lifestyle.
NOTE: in researching this article, I should mention that I learned that naps should be limited to 45 minutes and avoided after 4:00 p.m. to avoid grogginess and negatively impact evening sleep.
Virginia Ginsburg is an entrepreneur and business & marketing consultant who delivers strategic, affordable marketing services through her company
accordionmarketing. She also writes a blog called
Body > Mind > Business, which discuses the connection between business health and personal health, and the struggles she faces in pursuit of work-life balance.
Virginia has an MBA from the University of Southern California and is currently (slowly) pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology at UCLA. She has more than 12 years of experience as a senior marketing consultant, and has served as a trusted partner, coach and consultant to more than 100 sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.
Virginia lives in Santa Monica, CA with her husband and daughter. As part of her passion for working with entrepreneurs, Virginia is actively involved in small business development projects in the U.S. and in developing countries.
About: Virginia Ginsburg
Virginia Ginsburg is an entrepreneur and business & marketing consultant who delivers strategic, affordable marketing services through her company accordionmarketing. She also writes a blog called Body > Mind > Business, which discuses the connection between business health and personal health, and the struggles she faces in pursuit of work-life balance.
Virginia has an MBA from the University of Southern California and is currently (slowly) pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology at UCLA. She has more than 12 years of experience as a senior marketing consultant, and has served as a trusted partner, coach and consultant to more than 100 sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.
Virginia lives in Santa Monica, CA with her husband and daughter. As part of her passion for working with entrepreneurs, Virginia is actively involved in small business development projects in the U.S. and in developing countries
Share and Enjoy:
As someone balancing work and life, there are moments when it seems as if the only solution to my lengthy to-do list is a catnap. I know it sounds strange, but since I work from home, it’s possible, and so tempting when it seems as if nothing – most notably my brain – is working quite right. Thus, I thought that a quick justification (ahem! I mean “review”) of the benefits of a midday nap might be appropriate. Research shows the following:
