{"id":6323,"date":"2014-06-23T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2014-06-23T11:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=6323"},"modified":"2014-06-16T12:06:52","modified_gmt":"2014-06-16T16:06:52","slug":"are-you-entering-the-nap-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2014\/06\/are-you-entering-the-nap-zone.html","title":{"rendered":"Are You Entering the Nap Zone?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"man<\/a>It is\u00a0afternoon. You have a talk to give. When you enter the room and begin to set up, you notice people looking rather sleepy. In fact, as you scan the audience, some people are already nodding off.<\/p>\n

You think, \u201cThis is going to be a challenge! Why are people looking so drowsy? Was it the big lunch they ate? Am I just not entertaining enough to keep their attention or what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Truth is, it is probably none of the above. Sure a heavy load of carbs at lunch could intensify the sleepy feeling people are getting, but more is going on with your midday audience.<\/p>\n

At midday, people are entering the nap zone\u2014that sleepy time when the brain says, \u201cTake a nap, you need it. I don\u2019t care if you want to be awake, I need to sleep!\u201d Yes, the brain is telling you to sleep and fighting you to stay awake.<\/p>\n

Now, most of us don\u2019t have the luxury of taking an afternoon nap no matter what our brain is telling us. But in reality, a little siesta would actually benefit our functioning. The brain telling you to nap is trying to help you function better. We actually fight a beneficial impulse!<\/p>\n

Napping benefits the brain.\u00a0 It helps increase reaction time, reduces traffic accidents, and improves your cognitive functions. And that cognitive improvement lasts about 6 hours after a 45-minute midday nap.<\/p>\n

So if you can, next time you are trying to push through a tough assignment or need to be creative, but find yourself fighting sleepiness, take a 25-45 minute nap! Close your door, nap with the kids, and rest! Your brain will thank you by working better!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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